WASHINGTON - The World Bank has an economic and moral imperative to help address risks to global growth, no matter where they emerge, new World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said here on Monday.

A strong global economy benefits all countries, and a weak global economy makes all countries vulnerable, Kim said in a statement released on Monday, his first day on the job at the Washington-based agency.

"My immediate priority will be to intensify the World Bank's efforts to help developing countries maintain progress against poverty in these volatile times," he said.

Kim on Sunday succeeded Robert Zoellick to lead the global development organization.