Statement by H.E. Dag-Inge Ulstein on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden - 102nd Meeting of the Development Committee

Jul 19, 2026

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Statement delivers a coordinated Nordic-Baltic constituency message to the Development Committee on the COVID-19 crisis and recovery priorities. It thanks the World Bank Group and IMF, supports rapid vaccine access via ACT-A and COVAX alignment, and urges stronger health-system and vaccine preparedness while limiting increased indebtedness. It calls for a “Build Back Better and Greener” approach aligned with SDGs and the Paris Agreement, including faster climate and energy transitions, renewable energy investment, and improved resource mobilization.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

COVID-19 response and vaccine access

Health systems strengthening and preparedness

Coordination with ACT-A and COVAX

Post-COVID development priorities

Build Back Better and Greener

Alignment with SDGs and Paris Agreement

Climate and energy transition

Reducing fossil fuel lock-in

Renewable energy and energy efficiency

Financing, resource mobilization, and taxation

Optimizing balance sheets and mobilizing private capital

Domestic resource mobilization and fair taxation

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors ofthe Bank and the Fund on the Transfer of Real Resources to Developing Countries) ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MEETING WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 16, 2020 (VIRTUAL) DC/S/2020-0058 October 16, 2020 Statement by H.E. Dag-Inge Ulstein Minister of International Development Norway on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden Statement by H.E. Dag-Inge Ulstein Minister of International Development Norway on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden 102nd Meeting of the Development Committee October 16, 2020 Washington, DC (VIRTUAL) COVID-19 has swept the globe in a matter of months, jeopardizing lives, upending businesses and setting offa worldwide economic downturn of historic proportions. The global death toll has passed the one million mark. While researchers work hard to develop a vaccine, societies and consumers are strongly refocused on health and safety. This crisis may erase years of development gains, for many countries perhaps even decades. Low-income countries and the poorer segments of countries are the most severely affected. In this strained situation, efficient resource utilization is key, so that limited resources are used where they are needed the most. We thank the World Bank Group and the IMF for your immediate response, joint action and leadership in addressing the pandemic and its dire consequences. We are encouraged by the recent announcement to mobilize up to 12 billion USD to ensure global access to covid-19 vaccines. We look forward to further discussions on the design of mechanisms for health systems strengthening, vaccine preparedness and vaccine access while minimising the risk of increased indebtedness. We urge Management and staff to keep up the very good work, fully trusting that you will. Going forward, a continued close coordination and strong partnerships, especially with other MDBs and the UN system, are crucial to tackle the challenges weare faced with. We welcome the ACT-A collaboration to accelerate development, production and equitable access to COVD-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, and urge the World Bank to align and collaborate closely with COVAX. At the time of our Spring Meetings, we were all focused on containing the pandemic and addressing its economic consequences. Six months have passed. It goes without saying, but nevertheless: The World Bank Group should not only address immediate health and economic needs, but also support long-term development priorities. Although the pandemic is far from over it is time to focus on Post-COVID-19 and calibrating our policy responses to “the next normal”. We must focus on how to Build Back Better and Greener. This effort must be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. The effects of COVID-19 will only reinforce the importance of both mitigating and adapting to climate change. The World Bank Group should take on a global leadership for a sustainable, inclusive recovery, with substantially reduced carbon intensity of economic growth. The Bank should be a driver in speedy reduction of fossil fuel components in the overall energy mix and avoid lock-in investments in fossil-based assets. An ambitious updated Climate Change Action Plan, including time-bound goals for implementation, would be a good start. World Bank Group lending and investments should support the transition to sustainable energy for all and climate neutrality by 2050. We call for a further strengthening of bank investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We urge the Bank to set an energy access target in line with SDG7 . The Bank is uniquely placed to provide leadership in the energy transformation, promoting cost-effective and inclusive green energy solutions rather than prolonging dep

FAQs

What immediate actions does the statement emphasize for the COVID-19 crisis?

It urges continued Bank support for health and economic needs and highlights mobilizing resources to ensure global access to COVID-19 vaccines, alongside preparedness for health systems strengthening.

How does the statement describe the post-COVID recovery direction?

It calls for focusing on “Post-COVID-19” and calibrating policy responses toward “the next normal,” explicitly aiming to Build Back Better and Greener in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

What climate and energy priorities are requested of the World Bank Group?

It requests leadership for a sustainable, inclusive recovery with substantially reduced carbon intensity, faster reduction of fossil fuel dependence, strengthened renewable energy and energy efficiency investments, and support for ambitious NDC implementation.

Jul 19, 2026

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