Starting July 1, Gevorg Sargsyan will serve the World Bank as Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka, a position that will unify country level leadership across the institution, to better support the island nation’s public and private sector priorities. 

This newly created position provides a single point of contact for access to the full breadth of the World Bank Group products and services and will enhance the institution’s ability to address the global challenges and drive development with speed, efficiency and impact.

“Sri Lanka is navigating a unique set of challenges, marked by its journey towards economic recovery, heightened poverty and the impacts of climate change, all of which necessitate substantial reforms to protect its economy and people,” said World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka Gevorg Sargsyan. 

“My priority is to strengthen the dynamic collaboration among the Bank Group institutions in Sri Lanka, to improve our speed and make us a better partner to the government, private sector and Sri Lankan people, to support in overcoming the current challenges and building a prosperous and resilient country,” he added.

The introduction of joint country representation is an important step towards building a stronger World Bank Group.

Sri Lanka is one of the 21 World Bank Group offices transitioning to a single World Bank Group Country Manager or Resident Representative for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

In Sri Lanka, the World Bank Group works to help implement foundational reforms that restore macroeconomic stability and sustainability, mitigate the impact of current and future shocks on the poor and vulnerable and support an inclusive and private sector-led recovery and growth path.

Sargsyan, an Armenian national, joined the World Bank in 2000, bringing over two decades of diverse experience to the role. 

His career at the World Bank includes serving in various capacities, notably as Country Manager and Manager of Operations in Europe, Central Asia and East Asia as well as Programme Manager for Climate Finance and as Global Lead for Clean Energy. His most recent assignment was as Country Manager for Ukraine, based in Kyiv.