US welcomes World Bank reforms, pushes for more ambitious changes

FILE PHOTO: A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Monday welcomed plans by the World Bank to boost annual lending by $5 billion to middle-income countries to fight climate change and other global crises over 10 years, but said it was pushing for more ambitious changes soon.

A senior U.S. Treasury official told Reuters the World Bank's governors were expected to endorse the long-awaited plan during their twice yearly meetings next week, while calling for the bank's management to outline firm plans for further reforms.