My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Douglas Alexander) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of the DfID report The UK and the World Bank 2008-09. This report sets out how we have worked with the World Bank from July 2007 to November 2008. Similar reports will now be published on an annual basis in order to provide more regular and up-to-date reporting and accountability.

The report provides an explanation of major developments in policy and strategy, the UK’s engagement and the outcomes. It also explains how bank operations and implementation have been taken forward and highlights examples of major projects and programmes launched.

The major issues that the bank has worked on during this period and on which DfID has engaged are:

the food, fuel and financial crises;

international development association replenishment;

climate change and sustainability;

making the bank more representative and responsive;

governance and fragile states;

human development;

growth and trade; and

debt.

In addition the report sets out UK priorities and high-level objectives for engaging with the bank in 2009. These focus on securing optimal bank support to countries dealing with the economic downturn; a stronger bank focus on environmental sustainability, climate-resilient development and low-carbon growth; improving the delivery and effectiveness of bank assistance and the way in which it works with others, especially in fragile and conflict-affected countries; delivery on gender commitments and stronger focus on supporting women and girls; and improvements in bank governance that increase developing country voice and make it more efficient and effective.

The next annual report will set out progress against these priorities and objectives, and outline those for the year ahead.