Gurría said appointment will contribute to expanding co-operation between the World Bank and the OECD.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development secretary-general Angel Gurría welcomed President Bush’s nomination of Robert B. Zoellick as his choice for president of the World Bank and said that his arrival at the head of this important institution will contribute to expanding co-operation between the World Bank and the OECD.

“I have known Bob Zoellick for almost twenty years” said Gurría, who previously served successively as foreign minister and finance minister of Mexico. “His leadership and extensive experience in dealing with international organizations, as well as his clear understanding of the complexities of development issues, make him an excellent choice for this post.”

The nomination comes at an important moment for the OECD, as it starts a process of expanding its membership and enhancing its relations with major players in the world economy in order to fulfil the mandate of its 30 member governments to act as a hub for a dialogue on global issues. The OECD has an ambitious agenda in the areas of migration, innovation, health, water, education and climate change, among others, all of which will involve increased co-operation with the World Bank.