France calls on World Bank to boost aid to vulnerable states

French President Francois Hollande on Monday called on the World Bank to further bolster financial aid to the world's poorest countries and most vulnerable states, notably in the Sahel and the Middle East.

At a meeting with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, Hollande hailed the institution's efforts in helping to handle the refugee crisis but asked it "to intensify efforts in fragile and vulnerable countries, particularly in the Sahel, so that development projects can be implemented quickly."

In this context, the French president urged a quicker launch of a World Bank facility in the North Africa and Middle East region, to which France will provide 800 million U.S. dollars in guarantees to help financing reconstruction and recovery, his office said.

Hollande and Kim Yong, also expressed common commitment to encourage the use of renewable energy in Africa, a region severely hit by climate degradation.

In addition, they reiterated the need for world leaders to honor their pledge to offer 100 billion U.S. dollars to the poorest states to help fight climate change. Enditem