Aga Khan and World Bank President Discuss Global Crises
In Lisbon, Portugal, discussions centered on pressing global issues as His Highness the Aga Khan met with **Ajay Banga**, President of the World Bank, signaling renewed collaboration between the institutions.
High-Level Meeting in Lisbon
**His Highness the Aga Khan** and **Ajay Banga**, President of the World Bank, convened at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon today. This marks their first encounter since their initial meeting in February 2024 and since His Highness‘s ascendance as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Areas of Mutual Concern
Their discussions encompassed a range of critical development priorities, notably Afghanistan and the broader Central Asia region, Syria, strategies for addressing the escalating climate crisis, expanding access to clean energy sources across Africa, and fostering job creation initiatives.
Extensive Collaboration History
The World Bank and AKDN share a substantial history of collaboration, engaging in diverse projects spanning multiple countries and sectors. These encompass energy, financial services, telecommunications, agribusiness, community development, entrepreneurship, healthcare, microfinance, and tourism. For instance, the World Bank has committed $1.7 billion to support climate-related investments in Pakistan, a region of significant interest for both organizations (World Bank, April 2024).
