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The World Bank |
News Release No. 99/2159/S |
Contact: David Theis
(202) 473-1955 |
MARK MALLOCH BROWN TO LEAVE WORLD BANK
World Bank Vice President for External and UN Affairs to Head UNDP
WASHINGTON, April 23, 1999Mark Malloch Brown, Vice President for External
Affairs and Vice President for United Nations Affairs, is departing the World Bank to
become the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.
A British citizen, Mr. Malloch Brown replaces Mr. James Gustave Speth, UNDP
Administrator since 1993, who has accepted an offer from Yale University to be the Dean of
the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Mr. Malloch Browns appointment is
effective July 1, 1999.
Established in 1965, the UNDP is the worlds largest multilateral source of grant
technical assistance for sustainable human development, as well as the central
coordinating organization for United Nations development activities worldwide.
Commenting on Mr. Malloch Browns departure, World Bank President James D.
Wolfensohn said, I believe that Mark will do a wonderful job as head of the
UNDP, and I wish him every success. I am certain that his appointment will further
strengthen the partnership between the Bank and the U.N. system. We will certainly miss
him here at the World Bank, where he has made a formidable contribution to our work.
Mark Malloch Brown joined the World Bank in 1994 as the Director of External Affairs.
He was appointed to the positions of Vice President for External Affairs and Vice
President for United Nations Affairs at the beginning of 1996.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Malloch Brown greatly enhanced the Banks outreach, expanding
partnerships with other U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations, building
stronger links with client and donor countries, and strengthening media outreach and
strategic communications worldwide. Surveys have shown that, in the past four years, the
Banks relationships with its partners in developing and industrial countries, including
governments, the press, and civil society, have improved immensely.
Mr. Malloch Brown increased the Banks presence in Europe, and deepened the Banks
relations with non-European donor capitals as well. He was also instrumental in securing
contributions for the International Development Associationthe World Banks lending
arm for the poorest countriesfrom the donor community.
From 1979-1983, Mr. Malloch Brown worked for the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees. From 1979-1981, he was stationed in Thailand, where he was in
charge of field operations for Cambodian refugees. In 1981, he was appointed Deputy Chief
of the emergency unit in Geneva, undertaking extensive missions in the Horn of Africa and
Central America as well as developing emergency assistance measures for dealing with
crises of mass influx. In 1981, the UNHCR and its staff were awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize.
Mr. Malloch Brown founded The Economist Development Report, a monthly report on
the aid community and political economy of development, for The Economist and
served as the reports editor from 1983-1986. Previously, from 1977-1979, he had been The
Economists political correspondent.
Prior to joining the World Bank, Mr. Malloch Brown was the lead international partner
from 1986-1994 in a strategic communications management firm, where he worked with
corporations, governments, and political candidates. He also provided strategic advice to
governments on managing change and on public policy issues including privatization,
environment, human rights, and other matters. Mr. Malloch Brown also advised CEOs on
corporate marketing and change management issues.
Active in human rights and refugee issues, Mr. Malloch Brown is a board member of the
Open Society Institute, George Soros foundation network. In 1997, he chaired for Kofi
Annan, the UN Secretary-General, a taskforce on the reform of UN communications
activities. He formerly served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Refugees International in
Washington, D.C., and was active in early support for Bosnia. He has written and broadcast
extensively about development, refugees, and international financial and political
matters.
Mr. Malloch Brown was educated at Cambridge University, where he received a First Class
Honors Degree in History from Magdalene College, and at the University of Michigan,
where he received a Masters Degree in Political Science.
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