Biden Pledges Record $4 bln US Contribution to World Bank Fund for Poorest Countries

The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
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Biden Pledges Record $4 bln US Contribution to World Bank Fund for Poorest Countries

The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)

US President Joe Biden has pledged a $4 billion US contribution to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) fund for the world's poorest countries, two sources with knowledge of the commitment said on Monday, Reuters reported.

Biden announced the US pledge during a closed session during the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The amount is a record and substantially exceeds the $3.5 billion that Washington committed in the previous IDA replenishment round in December 2021.



Al-Falih: Saudi-US Investment Forum Consolidates the 2 Countries’ Partnership

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaks at the forum. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaks at the forum. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Al-Falih: Saudi-US Investment Forum Consolidates the 2 Countries’ Partnership

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaks at the forum. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaks at the forum. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said Tuesday the Saudi-US Investment Forum consolidates the partnership between the two countries.

Al-Falih praised US-Saudi relations as he spoke at the Forum held in Riyadh.

“Our bilateral relationship is one of the world’s most significant geostrategic bonds, with economic cooperation and business partnerships at its core, and serves as a force for peace and global prosperity,” he said.

He reiterated a pledge by the Saudi Crown Prince to see investment in the US of $600 billion over the next four years.

The Forum is being held on the occasion of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Kingdom.