Maurice Strong, a Canadian national, joined the World Bank Group (WBG) in July 1995 as senior adviser to President James Wolfensohn in the Office of the President (EXC). Strong arrived at the World Bank Group with an extensive history in both the private and public sectors, the latter including various positions at the United Nations (UN), including as the first head of the UN's Environment Programme (UNEP). In addition to a successful career in the energy sector, Strong also helped create and was an earlyleader of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Canada's national oil company Petro-Canada.

Strong's initial months at the WBG overlapped with his previous position as chairman of Ontario Hydro; his obligations to Ontario Hydro mostly concluded in November 1995 at which point he joined the Bank Group on a more full-time basis. However, while at the Bank Group, he also held other external roles, including chairman of the Earth Council and the World Resources Institute and director of a number of corporations and organizations.

As senior adviser to the WBG President, Strong reported directly to President Wolfensohn. His work program was broad but with an emphasis on the environment and energy sectors in Bank Group operations. Areas of responsibility included:

? Advising on Bank Group decision-making processes with respect to policies, delegation of authorities, projects, and other decisions related to commitment of funds;

? Providing recommendations on approaches to liaison with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs);

? Developing and improving working relationships with the UN and its agencies;

? Developing methodologies that reflect practices in the private sector;

? Maintaining a "project watch list" which included those WBG projects that were sensitive or potentially controversial due to environmental and social concerns.

In January 1997, Strong was appointed senior adviser to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the UN's reform process. He maintained his advisory role at the Bank Group, but on a reduced basis. He would depart the Bank Group entirely by June 2000.