Jim Yong Kim, an American who is president of Dartmouth College, has been chosen to be the next president of the World Bank. His selection extends the U.S. hold on the top job at the 187-nation development agency.

Kim, a surprise nominee of President Barack Obama, was selected Monday in a vote by the World Bank's 25-member executive board. He'll succeed Robert Zoellick, who's stepping down after a five year term.

Developing nations waged an unsuccessful challenge to Kim, 52, a physician and pioneer in treating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the developing world.

Kim's selection marks a break from previous World Bank leaders who were typically political, legal or economic figures. The World Bank raises money from its member nations and borrows from investors to provide low-cost loans to developing countries.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner praised the selection, saying Kim "has a lifetime of experience solving complex problems." He said Kim "will help breathe new life into the World Bank's efforts" to promote economic growth around the world.

Developing countries had put forward two candidates for the post: Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo. Both argued that it was time to break the hold the United States has had on the World Bank job and provide a greater voice for developing nations. On Friday, Ocampo announced that he was withdrawing and throwing his support to Okonjo-Iweala.

The World Bank didn't reveal the board's vote. But it said "the final nominees received support from different member countries," – indicating that Kim's selection was not unanimous.

沪江英语快讯：世行执行董事会16日发布声明宣布由美国总统奥巴马提名的美籍韩裔医学专家金辰勇将接替现任行长罗伯特·佐利克，成为世行第12任行长。金辰勇出生在韩国，5岁时随家人来到美国，曾担任哈佛大学医学教授，并曾任世界卫生组织艾滋病毒／艾滋病司司长，从2009年起担任美国达特茅斯学院校长。此次参与竞选世界银行行长的候选人还有尼日利亚财政部长恩戈齐·奥孔乔－伊韦拉以及哥伦比亚前财政部长何塞·安东尼奥·奥坎波。

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