Robert Zoellick, World Bank Chief, Heads To D.C. Think Tank

Robert Zoellick will soon leave his position as the World Bank chief in order to join the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a think tank in Washington D.C..

Zoellick is also the former U.S. Trade Representative and deputy secretary of state, according to The Wall Street Journal, and will join the think tank as its first distinguished visiting fellow. He will also spend time at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government as a senior fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

The outgoing World Bank chief made the announcement on Wednesday that he intends to join both think tanks. Reuters reports that Robert Zoellick is set to leave the bank on June 30th, the end of his five-year term. He stated of the transition that:

“I hope to work on the intersection of economics and security, applying history to policy questions of today. Both institutions have been at the cutting edge of research and policy development, and I have benefited greatly from both in the past.”

The Sacramento Bee reports that Dr. C. Fred Bergsten, director of the Institute, has stated:

“We are delighted that Bob Zoellick will be joining the Peterson Institute in this distinguished capacity. No one on the world scene is more committed to the goals of improving global prosperity and international cooperation, and enhancing economic globalization that is both open and fair—goals that we at the Institute have long shared. We have worked closely with Bob on trade, finance, development and many other issues over his long and distinguished career and are honored that he has spoken many times from the Institute’s podium. We are delighted that he will continue to contribute his insights at both our public meetings and private staff discussions.”

Jim Yong Kim, the former president of Dartmouth, will take the reins of the World Bank from Robert Zoellick on July 1st.