Ajay Banga, the Indian-American business leader, is set to become the next president of the World Bank.
The bank said on Thursday said he is the sole nominee for the post as no other candidates were nominated, paving the way for him to helm the top bank position unopposed, media reports said.
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors will interview Banga before he is formally appointed.
The World Bank on Wednesday closed a month-long window for nominations for its next president, with no alternatives announced to 63-year-old Banga.
“The board received one nomination and would like to announce that Mr Ajay Banga, a US national, will be considered for the position,” the bank said.
“In accordance with established procedures, the Board of Executive Directors will conduct a formal interview with the candidate in Washington D.C., and expect to conclude the presidential selection in due course,” said a media release issued by the bank.
The bank has not announced the timing of the interview.
The former Mastercard Inc. chief, Banga currently serves as Vice Chairman at General Atlantic. A new leader of the World Bank is expected to be chosen by early May.
President Joe Biden announced in February that the US would be nominating Banga to lead the World Bank because he is “well equipped” to lead the global institution at “this critical moment in history.”
“Over the next few months, you will see the World Bank undergo an important transition. We expect that Ajay Banga – President Biden’s nominee – will be elected President of the World Bank,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Wednesday.
“He will be charged with accelerating our progress to evolve the institution to better address 21st-century challenges. This evolution will help the bank deliver on its vital poverty alleviation and development goals,” Yellen said.
If confirmed, Banga would become the first-ever Indian-American and Sikh-American to head either of the two top international financial institutions: the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Banga is expected to replace the current World Bank president David Malpass, who will step down in June, nearly a year before his term is scheduled to expire.
Malpass faced strong criticism over the bank’s commitment to climate action and over his personal views on climate change.
Last week, reports emerged that China sounded doubtful about backing Banga, saying it is “open” to supporting “other potential candidates” based on merit.
Banga, however, received overwhelming support from major countries across the world, including India.
Following Banga’s nomination, he has travelled to several countries for support. A coalition of 55 advocates, academics, executives, luminaries, and former government officials — including four Nobel Laureates — wrote an open letter to welcome and support Banga’s nomination as the next president of the World Bank.
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