WASHINGTON: World Bank Group President David Malpass said on Friday that he does not believe G20 finance ministers are taking adequate steps to deal with a growing debt overhang that is threatening the recovery of poor countries that will have to spend precious resources repaying debt to wealthy creditors.

"You know, the G 20 finance ministers are meeting right now today, trying to hammer out a communique," Malpass told a forum at the Munich Security Conference. "And the concern is that G20 is not identifying the steps forward that would deal with this debt overhang."

G20 finance leaders flag inflation, geopolitical risks to global recovery

A final communique from the G20 finance leaders meeting hosted by Indonesia was delayed over disagreements with Russia and China over references to geopolitical tensions and language on debt restructuring, people familiar with the negotiations said.

World Bank economist warns of dangers of ignoring growing debt