World Bank president Malpass says won't resign over climate change remark

World Bank President David Malpass said Friday he won't resign after coming under criticism for his remarks earlier this week regarding climate change.

At an event sponsored by The New York Times on Tuesday, Malpass wouldn't answer directly when asked whether the burning of fossil fuels has contributed to global warming. Instead, he said, "I am not a scientist."

In an interview with Politico Friday, Malpass said he wouldn't resign, and that he hasn't been asked to do so by any of the bank's member governments. He acknowledged he should have done a better job responding to questions on Tuesday, including from former Vice President Al Gore, who asked if he was a "climate denier."

"When asked, are you a climate denier?' I should have said no," he said. But he said he did not plan to resign.

Malpass also said the World Bank is taking a forceful leadership position on climate issues.

Malpass was nominated to the position by former President Donald Trump in 2019, under the longstanding