What Comes Next for the World Bank after Jim Yong Kim's Sudden Resignation?

Photo: World Bank / Simone D. McCourtie

World Bank president Jim Yong Kim is stepping down at the end January. He made that announcement on January 7th, surprising most observers for the fact that he is resigning from his post with three years left in his second term.

This vacancy presents a key inflection point for the World Bank.

An American has always headed the World Bank. This is owing to a deal struck between the United States and Europe in which the US backs the European nominee for head of the International Monetary Fund while Europe backs the US nominee for head of the World Bank. That longstanding tradition may now come to an end.

Scott Morris is a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and longtime observer and analyst of the World Bank. In this conversation we discuss Jim Kim's legacy at the Bank and why his departure now sets the stage for a potential clash between the Trump administration and other governments over who will next lead the Bank.

If you have 20 minut…