The Board of the World Bank Group (WBG) has proposed a review of membership to reflect the addition of a third chair for Sub-Saharan Africa in the Development Committee.

The proposal is contained in a communiqué released after the meeting of the development committee at the ongoing Spring Meeting of World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC.

“ We note with satisfaction the proposed revision of the Development Committee’s membership to reflect the addition of a third chair for Sub-Saharan Africa in the WBG’s board,’’ the communiqué said.

It also called for policy adjustment to help enhance all economic development in developing countries.

“The global economic outlook remains challenging. Policy adjustments and improved economic activity have reduced the threat of a sharp global slowdown.

‘’Growth in emerging and developing economies continues to be relatively strong but poor countries still need support.

“ Implementing policies and structural reforms to promote poverty reduction and inclusive growth must continue, ’’ it said.

The group said the likely achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to halve global poverty by 2015 was welcome news but promised to remain vigilant and continue to work with stakeholders to advance the other MDGs and to learn from experience.

It called on the WBG and IMF to support the implementation of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States.

“We call on the WBG to develop more innovative and stronger partnerships with middle income countries. Providing knowledge and financing for global public goods will also remain key.

“We welcome steps being taken by the IMF to implement the agreed funding package for the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, which should enable it to meet likely demand for the IMF’s concessional support through 2014, ’’ the committee said.

The committee welcomed the report on the WBG’s Innovations in Leveraging the Private Sector for Development, building on its mandate of poverty reduction.

It expressed appreciation and gratitude to Robert Zoellick, the President of the World Bank, for his leadership of the WBG over the last five years.

“He has positioned the WBG at the forefront of effective and timely responses to food and financial crises and natural disasters, as well as reinvigorating delivery of longer-term poverty reduction and tangible results.

“ He has championed gender equality, adaptation to climate change, and renewed attention to agriculture and infrastructure.

“He has helped transform the WBG, making it more open, transparent, accountable and ready for a new era of “modernised multi-lateralism.”