Statement by H.E. Svenja Schulze - 111th Meeting of the Development Committee - Statement on 2025 Spring Meetings Priorities

Jul 19, 2026

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Statement by H.E. Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany), delivered at the 111th Meeting of the Development Committee on April 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. The speech frames the 2025 Spring Meetings as a pivotal moment marked by economic uncertainty, fragility, geopolitical fragmentation, and urgent global challenges. It emphasizes the need for strong multilateralism and highlights the World Bank Group’s role in crises and reconstruction, addressing support for Ukraine, the Gaza reconstruction agenda, Syria’s recovery after the Assad dictatorship, concerns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

Statement by H.E. Svenja Schulze

Context: 2025 Spring Meetings and global challenges

World Bank Group’s role in crises and reconstruction

Country-focused priorities: Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, DRC, Sudan

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 ELEVENTH MEETING WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24, 2025 DC/S/2025-0003 April 24, 2025 Statement by H.E. Svenja Schulze Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Germany Statement by H.E. Svenja Schulze Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Germany 111th Meeting of the Development Committee April 24, 2025 Washington, DC As we convene for the 2025 Spring Meetings, the international community stands at a pivotal moment – facing not only persistent economic uncertainty but also increasingly complex fragility situations, geopolitical fragmentation and urgent global challenges that demand collective action. Fighting poverty, boosting shared prosperity, fighting against climate change and the loss of biodiversity, containing pandemics, and fostering peace and security call for more cooperation and solidarity. They call for strong multilateralism. The World Bank Group is a central pillar of the multilateral financial system. In difficult times like these, we need it more than ever. It plays a crucial role in acute crises and reconstruction efforts, and also in finding sustainable solutions to the global challenges of our times. By supporting Ukraine in coping with the consequences of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression, the World Bank Group continues to provide significant assistance. Germany is very grateful that the World Bank continues to play a central role in assessing the damage and the need for reconstruction, in providing direct support and cooperating with the Ukrainian Government to create the necessary framework conditions for an effective reconstruction architecture and the implementation of critical reforms, even now as the war still continues. The impacts of this brutal war are being felt particularly in Ukraine, but also worldwide. Therefore, we welcome the fact that the World Bank Group is helping to continue to mitigate the global consequences of the Russian war of aggression, especially with regard to access to food and affordable energy. Fifteen months on from Hamas'brutal terrorist attack on Israel, Hamas has still not released all hostages, which is imperative as a step towards peace; the war in Gaza has cost the lives oftens of thousands of innocent Palestinians, and has brought about unimaginable levels of infrastructure destruction and human suffering in Gaza. The Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment prepared by the World Bank together with the United Nations and the European Union estimates the costs of reconstructing Gaza tobe at least 53 billion US dollars. This immense task can only be accomplished through international cooperation as part of a political process that strives for a negotiated two-state solution. Hamas must not govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel anymore. It is essential that the Palestinian Authority be supported in taking over responsibility in the Gaza Strip so as to lead the reconstruction efforts, and that regional and international donors share the burden fairly. Germany will play its part in thereconstruction of Gaza once the situation permits. The World Bank will certainly be an indispensable partner in these efforts, as it has been in supporting the PA in its reform ambitions and working towards socio-economic stabilisation in the West Bank. Following the fall of the Assad dictatorship, Syria is at a crossroads. We must use this window of opportunity to support the development of a stable, peaceful and inclusive Syria. International development actors can provide substantial expertise and financial support for initiating areconstruction process in Syria that provides basic services and livelihoods for the Syrian population and helps rebuild the country’s social

FAQs

What challenges does the statement highlight as the context for the 2025 Spring Meetings?

It highlights persistent economic uncertainty alongside complex fragility situations, geopolitical fragmentation, and urgent global challenges requiring collective action.

How does the statement describe the World Bank Group’s role?

It presents the World Bank Group as a central pillar of multilateral finance, supporting acute crises, reconstruction efforts, and sustainable solutions to global problems.

Which country crises and reconstruction needs are addressed?

The statement addresses Ukraine, Gaza reconstruction, Syria’s post-Assad recovery, concerns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.

Jul 19, 2026

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