The World Bank has appointed Juan Pablo Uribe as the new Division Director for Central America and the Dominican Republic, with his tenure beginning on July 1, 2025. Uribe will operate from the Bank's regional office in Panama City.
Uribe, a Colombian national, has an extensive background in public health and government management. He first joined the World Bank in 2000 as a Health Specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean and later became Sector Manager for East Asia and the Pacific. In 2021, he returned to serve as Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population while also leading the Global Financing Facility (GFF).
Before rejoining the World Bank, Uribe was Colombia's Minister of Health and Social Protection from 2018 to 2019. Prior to that role, he served as General Director of Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá from 2011 to 2018.
In his new position, Uribe will manage strategic dialogue and oversee operations across several countries including Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. He will handle a portfolio consisting of 62 projects valued at $7.6 billion. His responsibilities include collaboration with both the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which are part of the World Bank Group.
Uribe’s appointment follows a competitive selection process and succeeds Michel Kerf who is transitioning to become Regional Director for Digital Transformation covering Latin America and other regions.
"This appointment reinforces the World Bank Group’s commitment to working more closely with governments," stated an official announcement regarding Uribe's new role.
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