Statement by Guy Parmelin - 104th Development Committee Meeting - operationalization of the GRID framework

Jul 19, 2026

Statement by Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of Switzerland’s Federal Department for Economic Affairs, Education and Research, on behalf of multiple countries at the 104th World Bank Group Development Committee meeting (October 15, 2021). The statement thanks WBG for its COVID-19 response and reiterates support for the GRID framework—green, resilient, and inclusive development—emphasizing sustainable growth, stronger equity targeting, and continuous performance improvement. It calls for clear operationalization, evidence-based methodologies, streamlined strategic monitoring, stronger partnerships coordination, an ambitious knowledge agenda, data integrity and independent research governance, and regular progress updates. It also urges momentum on the cascade approach, speedy project delivery with quality safeguards, higher domestic resource mobilization, and attention to energy transition, climate adaptation, and sustainable food systems.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

Development Committee

Statement by Guy Parmelin

Towards the operationalization of the GRID framework

On GRID financing

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized # DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Joint Ministerial Committeeof the Boards of Governors of the Bank and the Fundon theTransfer of Real Resources to Developing Countries) ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTHMEETINGWASHINGTON,DC-OCTOBER15,2021 DC/S/2021-0064 October 15,2021 Statement by Guy Parmelin President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of theFederal Department for Economic,Education and Research Switzerland On behalf of Azerbaijan,Kazakhstan,the Kyrgyz Republic,Poland,Serbia,Switzerland,Tajikistan,Turkmenistanand Uzbekistan Statement by Guy Parmelin President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of theFederal Department for Economic Affairs,Education and Research Switzerland On behalf of Azerbaijan,Kazakhstan,the Kyrgyz Republic,Poland,Serbia,Switzerland,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan 104Meeting of the Development Committee October 15,2021 Washington,DC The World Bank Group(WBG)has provided a strong response to address the impact of the COVID-19pandemic.Our Constituency thanks World Bank Management and Staff for their continued dedication andhard work accomplished under difficult circumstances over the last months.We reiterate our full supportfor the WBG's approach to scale up support for green,resilient,and inclusive development(GRID).To getback on track towards achieving the Twin Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),it isessential to reach sustainable growth that puts strong emphasis on green competitiveness and a low carbontransition,while forcefully tackling rising inequalities and reaching the most vulnerable populations.Weexpect the WBG to continuously and critically review its work and undertake all necessary measures tofurther improve its performance. # Towards the operationalization of the GRID framework We expect the Bank to provide clarity on how it will operationalize the GRID framework.To this end,acoherent and evidence-based methodology to prioritize operations that maximize dividends across GRIDdimensions should be developed,including strategic choices of instruments tailored to country needs.GRIDshould also be streamlined into strategic documents and monitoring frameworks to foster a more robustoutcome orientation at program and portfolio level. We are firmly convinced that a more systematic approach to partnerships-spanning across financing,knowledge,and capacity building-will further increase the impact of WBG interventions.The WBGshould systematically make use of joint coordination platforms with development partners and,whereappropriate,civil society organizations and the private sector,to reach a shared and better understanding ofdevelopment challenges and opportunities,identify comparative advantages and agree on a division oflabor,and harmonize approaches in view of efficiency gains.We particularly invite the WBG and the IMFto closely coordinate their actions,while keeping in mind their different but complementary mandates. We call on the WBG to raise the ambition of its knowledge agenda and advisory services,a cornerstone toan effective GRID implementation.Its cross-sectoral expertise is the foundation to support clients'policyreforms and investments that yield the broadest economic,social,and environmental returns.The integrityof data and the impartiality of analysis are paramount for the credibility of the WBG.All necessarymeasures have to be taken to ensure good governance and an environment for highest-quality independentdevelopment research. We appreciate the WBG for its continued commitment to be Bank for all clients,focusing on building backbetter and assisting countries in just transition to achieve a more resilient and inclusive future.The WBGplays a leadership role in addressing the global climate crisis in a resilient and inclusive manner.Wewelcome the WBG's Climate Change Action Plan(CCAP),and its strong commitment to assist countriesin their net-zero transitions.We notably expect

FAQs

What is the GRID framework and what support is reiterated in the statement?

The statement reiterates full support for the World Bank Group’s GRID approach—green, resilient, and inclusive development—aimed at sustainable growth, green competitiveness, low-carbon transition, and addressing rising inequalities.

What does the statement request regarding operationalizing GRID?

It calls for clarity on how GRID will be operationalized, including an evidence-based methodology to prioritize operations across GRID dimensions, streamlined integration into strategic documents and monitoring frameworks, and an outcome-oriented approach at program and portfolio levels.

How does the statement describe partnership and coordination to increase WBG impact?

It emphasizes a more systematic approach to partnerships spanning financing, knowledge, and capacity building, including joint coordination platforms with development partners and, when appropriate, civil society organizations and the private sector, as well as close coordination between the WBG and the IMF while respecting their mandates.

Jul 19, 2026

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