James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, has warned that terrorism and security concerns are distracting policymakers in rich countries from long-term development goals and from terrible human suffering in Africa.

In an interview with the FT, Mr Wolfensohn said the agenda for the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to be held in Washington early next month, is likely to be overshadowed by short-term concerns about terrorism and Iraq.