[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] David Malpass, President of the World Bank (WB), who faced criticism for his passive response to climate change, has dismissed calls for his resignation.
On the 23rd (local time), in an interview with the American political media outlet Politico, President Malpass was asked whether he was considering resignation and replied, "There will be no resignation." He also answered that there are "no members of the World Bank" demanding his resignation due to his remarks.
This follows the incident on the 20th at a climate change event where President Malpass avoided answering the question of whether he agreed with scientists' assessment that burning fossil fuels rapidly and dangerously raises the Earth's temperature by saying, "I am not a scientist," leading to calls for his resignation mainly from political circles and environmental groups.
Appointed as head of the World Bank by former President Donald Trump, President Malpass has been evaluated as not being proactive in the Biden administration's policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel use and pursuing eco-friendly energy. At the event, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore called President Malpass a climate denier and criticized, "We need a new World Bank president."
In the interview, President Malpass expressed regret over his remarks at the event and clarified that he believes human activities have caused climate change. He also defended that the World Bank has strong leadership on climate change.
President Malpass also reiterated that he is not a climate denier. The day before, on CNN, he stated regarding the controversy, "I am not a climate denier. It is clear that burning oil, natural gas, and coal produces greenhouse gases. We need to produce more clean energy."
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