Category: Event

Promoting Climate-Resilient and Green Development in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has contributed little to global greenhouse gas emissions, and yet it is the world’s most vulnerable region to climate change. Rising temperatures and sea levels, as well as rainfall anomalies, are increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture and limited ability to adapt to weather-related shocks means that the livelihoods of millions are threatened by climate-induced disasters. COP27, often dubbed as “the Africa” COP, has recently ended. World leaders gathered in Sharm El-Sheikh to discuss how to mobilize collective efforts for ambitious emission reductions and adaptation. What are the key implications for sub-Saharan Africa? What is needed to make the continent development path resilient to climate change, while preserving the sustainability of public finances? How can the region attain a just energy transition without jeopardizing the achievement of its development goals?

The IMF’s African Department is pleased to host Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi (Executive Vice President of the African Center for Economic Transformation) and Lee White (Gabon’s Minister of Water, Forest, the Sea and Environment) to discuss these issues.

The conversation will be moderated by the IMF’s African Department Director, Abebe Aemro Selassie.


Speakers:

Ms. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi – Executive Vice President, African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) Prof. Lee White – Minister of Water, Forest, the Sea and Environment, Gabon

Future of Development Forum

A half-day global virtual event to examine the pressing questions the development community must address in the coming decades.

Climate change, conflict, food insecurity, and pandemics. These global challenges are growing in urgency and complexity—and they are not confined by borders. While wealthy countries are aging and their growth rates are faltering, the traditional manufacturing-led path to rapid growth in poorer countries is narrowing. 

In the face of headwinds to global prosperity and increasing geopolitical, economic, global health and environmental insecurity, development agencies and multilateral institutions are struggling to keep pace. How will development cooperation and institutions evolve to address the issues that have come to define the current and future development era? Do we have the will to establish policies today in preparation for a world and global economy that will look radically different in 30 years?


Latin America and the Caribbean at a Crossroads: What Agenda and Role for the Inter-American Development Bank?

This event will be broadcast in Spanish and English.

COVID-19 and related economic shocks have had important but heterogeneous impact across the Latin American and Caribbean region, which also faces elevated climate risks, increasing rates of poverty, declining life expectancy in some countries, and unprecedented rates of crime and violence. The International Monetary Fund now forecasts average growth of 1.7% in 2023 with high levels of inflation. 

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) could play a transformational role in supporting its borrowing member countries, partnering with governments to deliver on progress for their citizens. Last month, a 45-day window kicked off during which member countries can nominate candidates for the next President. The new leadership of the IDB is hugely important for setting a new agenda and charting a path forward. 

As a new contest for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) develops, we ask thought leaders from the region for their quick thoughts on top priorities and issues on the policy agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean, and what role the IDB could play. 


FEATURING 

Opening Remarks

  • Enrique Iglesias, Former President of the Inter-American Development Bank
  • Luis Alberto Moreno, Former President of the Inter-American Development Bank

Panelists

  • Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr, Director-Elect, Pan-American Health Organization
  • Damien King, Executive Director, Caribbean Policy Research Institute
  • Nora Lustig, ​​Professor of Latin American Economics, Tulane University and Non-Resident Fellow, CGD
  • Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, Former Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Panama
  • Máximo Torero, Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Andrés Velasco, Dean of the School of Public Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science

Moderator


Multilateral Development Banks for a Global Future: The Perspective of Emerging Market Leaders

With increasing challenges that go beyond national borders, the World Bank and other MDBs must quickly transform themselves and become truly global banks – through broader mandates, better governance, and modern business models. Middle-income countries will be a crucial part of this transformation. Most of the world’s people and most of the world’s poor live in MICs. Such countries are also significant users of World Bank’s products and services, and many are strong supporters of GPGs. At the time of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador and the Finance Ministers of Egypt, Nigeria, and Uruguay will share their recommendations for how the World Bank and MDBs can better provide GPGs in MICs. By sharing their perspectives in this event hosted in partnership with ODI, leaders will bring awareness to this gap and present practical changes to ensure this opportunity is not wasted.


OPENING REMARKS 

  • Guillermo Lasso, President, Republic of Ecuador

PANELISTS

  • Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • Azucena Arbeleche, Minister of Economy and Finance, Oriental Republic of Uruguay
  • Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance, Arab Republic of Egypt
  • Reza Baqir, Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School of Government; Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan
  • Annalisa Prizzon, Senior Research Fellow, ODI
  • Liliana Rojas-Suarez, Senior Fellow and Director of the Latin America Initiative, Center for Global Development 

MODERATOR