Ed Miliband, the new UK Foreign Secretary, is taking up Britain's seat on the World Bank board in an unconventional move aimed at prioritizing climate finance on the global stage. Miliband, who previously spearheaded Labour's Net Zero agenda as energy secretary, will serve as the UK Governor to the international financial institution.
This position is typically held by a junior minister, but Miliband stated his intention to use it to "send an unambiguous signal" about the government's foreign policy priorities. "International development is not an add-on to British foreign policy – it is central to it," he said. "I want to send an unambiguous signal that this Government is serious about its global leadership on development and climate."
Miliband is scheduled to attend the World Bank's annual meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in October, and its spring gathering in Washington D.C. next year. His appointment comes at a time when the World Bank has faced pressure from the Trump administration to reduce its focus on climate finance. The Foreign Secretary also navigates a constrained UK aid budget.
Historically, the UK has aimed to allocate 0.7 percent of its gross national income to overseas aid. The previous Conservative government reduced this to 0.5 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reduction was intended to be temporary, but former Prime Minister Keir Starmer later implemented a further cut to 0.3 percent of GDP, citing the need to increase defense spending.
Darren Jones, a close ally of Starmer, expressed support for Miliband's appointment on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "Excellent news. It's crucial we continue to lead the debate on both mitigating and adapting to global warming. Pleased to see @Ed_Miliband take this so seriously as he takes on the UK Governor at @WorldBankGroup."
World Bank President Ajay Banga welcomed the appointment, noting, "The United Kingdom is a valued partner of the World Bank Group and a longstanding champion of development. I look forward to working closely with the Foreign Secretary to help countries create jobs, mobilise more private capital, and deliver opportunity for people. Together, we can help turn ambition into results where they matter most."
The Foreign Office also announced that Kirsty McNeill will serve as Miliband's development minister. McNeill previously held a position at Save the Children UK and was an advisor to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.