Speaker Details

John Roome
Director, Sustainable Development, East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank Group

John Roome is the Director for Sustainable Development in the East Asia and Pacific Region of the World Bank. He is responsible for the Bank's work with the 22 client countries in the region in the Water, Urban, Transport, Energy, Rural, Environment and Social Sectors. The department accounts for about 30 new lending operations a year, for an annual lending volume of about US$3.5 billion, and a portfolio of about 150 active projects, with a net commitment in excess of US$15 billion. The department has an active dialogue (through analytical work and technical assistance) on key sustainable development issues, e.g. climate change, urbanisation and decentralisation, efficient infrastructure development, rural and social development, and environmental protection, at both regional and country levels. Prior to this assignment Mr Roome was Operations Director in the South Asia Region for five years and held various management positions in the World Bank's Africa region, including as Director of Operational Quality and Knowledge Services. Mr Roome joined the World Bank in 1989, and worked initially in Africa. He focused mainly on infrastructure issues including leading the Banks support for large roads programmes in Tanzania and post-war Mozambique, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, restructuring the Southern African airline industry and reforming South Africa's water pricing and allocation policies. He also worked for IFC doing deals in the banking, mining and agro-industry sectors. In the mid-1990s he served as the Bank's Africa Lead Specialist in Infrastructure Strategy. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr Roome worked in Europe for Monitor Company, a leading corporate strategy consulting firm. He holds two Master's degrees in Econometrics and Management Studies from Oxford University and a B.Sc. in Actuarial Science from the University of Cape Town.

 

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