BANGKOK, July 1, 2024 – The World Bank has appointed Melinda Good as its new Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar, effective July 1, 2024. Her appointment comes at a significant time for both countries.
Thailand is preparing to host the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund in Bangkok. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of Thailand’s membership in the World Bank—a partnership aimed at improving social and economic development.
Myanmar’s development trajectory has faced substantial setbacks due to multiple crises in recent years. Good's priority will be to oversee the World Bank’s programs in both countries and continue policy dialogues with civil society, academia, the private sector, and other partners.
In Thailand, her focus will be on implementing a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for fiscal years 2025-2029. This framework will guide the World Bank’s support for Thailand’s transition to a sustainable high-income economy. The CPF aligns with the World Bank Group’s mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
For Myanmar, the World Bank remains committed to supporting the country in line with its Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) Strategy. Under Good's leadership, efforts will concentrate on delivering comprehensive analytical work and providing strategic guidance to aid the poor and vulnerable populations.
“I am honored to be taking on my new position as Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar and look forward to supporting the people of both countries navigate this complex global environment following the COVID-19 pandemic," Good said.
Good, a United States national who joined the World Bank in 2005, has held several leadership positions including Country Director for Afghanistan and Operations Manager in Pakistan. Prior to joining the World Bank, she worked with the Asian Development Bank in the Philippines and the Millennium Challenge Corporation in Washington, D.C. She began her career as a private-sector lawyer in New York and Singapore.
The World Bank’s partnership with Thailand includes analytics and advisory services that support various aspects of development such as conflict-affected areas in southern provinces, business environment improvement, fiscal management, climate resilience building, water resource management, innovation policy assessment, education quality enhancement, and urban infrastructure development.
In Myanmar, comprehensive analytical work is being produced through initiatives like the Myanmar Monitoring Platform. The World Bank supports vulnerable communities via projects such as the Myanmar Community Support Project (MCSP), implemented by organizations including the World Food Programme and International Committee of the Red Cross to enhance food security and livelihoods in crisis-affected regions.