World Bank President Jim Yong Kim met with activists from 17 countries to discuss how LGBTI individuals can fully benefit from World Bank projects and programs in light of the powerful discrimination they experience in their countries. Accompanied by World Bank Executive Directors from Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands and Chile, as well as the Bank’s Chief Economist and a cameo appearance from U2’s Bono, the President reported on the long standing requests he has received on Bank activities related to SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity).

At the meeting, Dr. Kim announced that the Bank would hire its first ever SOGI Advisor, a senior position to coordinate Bank work on SOGI and to facilitate the relationship with the SOGI community worldwide. He also announced that the Bank would fund 3 studies analyzing the cost of homophobia in Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela. Dr. Kim committed to partnering with UNDP to prepare a funding proposal for a July meeting of SOGI donors in Uruguay, and to “working as hard as we can” to meet with members of the SOGI community when it travels. It was noted that the President will next visit India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Read more via Bank Information Center