Recent efforts of the World Bank to improve global economic problems are described, issues which will influence the role of the World Bank in the decade to come are discussed, and the Bank's future role is examined. Recent World Bank efforts to help developing nations include a lending program, project investments, analytical and advisory work, the encouragement of private investment, and the expansion of its co-financing approaches. Certain key issues will affect the Bank's future role. For example, the differing performances and prospects of the developing nations must be taken into account when framing international cooperative strategies. Other issues include the amount of commercial lending to Third World countries, difficulties faced by the heavily-indebted nations, international trade policies, and population growth. In the future, the Bank will support efforts to implement multi-year payment strategies for heavily-indebted countries, assure low-income countries a steady flow of external capital, and support adjustment efforts for middle-income nations through investment financing, economic analysis and dialogue, and lending. The Bank's most recent plan to help Sub-Saharan Africa is described. (RM)