Washington, October 10, 2025 (WAL) – Nineteen out of twenty-five executive directors at the World Bank issued a joint statement this week expressing strong support for the Bank’s continued implementation of its programs aimed at combating climate change, a clear challenge to the position of the United States and several countries cautious about this path.

The statement, representing about 120 member countries of the Bank, fully supports the World Bank’s climate plan, which allocates 45% of the total annual funding to environmental and climate projects, as part of the institution’s commitment to green transition and sustainable development.

The signatories emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum on climate action within the World Bank, stressing the need to advance policies supporting nature and climate despite differences within the Board of Executive Directors.

The statement said: “We reaffirm our support for the World Bank Group’s leadership role in climate and nature-related work, and stress the importance of enhancing ambitious climate finance as an integral part of inclusive and equitable development.”

This statement reflects a growing divide within the World Bank regarding funding priorities, especially with the upcoming annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund scheduled for this month in Washington, expected to feature intense discussions on climate and development finance policies.

It is noted that the United States, as the largest contributor to the World Bank, has expressed reservations about some provisions of the climate finance plan, citing the need to review the balance between environmental funding and other development projects, which was met with clear opposition from the majority of the Board members.