EDS07

Spring Meetings: The 2021 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will be held in Washington D.C. from April 5 - 11. For information on public events, or how to register for accreditation, please visit the Annual Meetings website.

The Small States Forum (SSF), which takes place every year during the Annual Meetings, is a high-level session that brings together Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from 50 small states to discuss the most pressing challenges they face.

The new chair of the Small States Forum, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of Grenada, in partnership with the World Bank Operations Policy and Country Services Vice-Presidency, hosted the ‘Small States Engagement Update 2017’ at the 2017 World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings.

As a follow-up to the 2016 Small States Forum (SSF), it was an opportunity for members of the SSF to get an update from World Bank Group Senior Management about their engagement with small states.

As well, Prime Minister Mitchell presented his vision for the Forum and its future direction. Presentations were followed by a panel discussion on next steps for the small states agenda.

In April 2017, Christine Hogan accompanied by Alternate ED, Peteranne Donaldson, visited Jamaica and met with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Finance Minister Audley Shaw, technical staff within the government as well as key representatives from the private sector, civil society and youth. Discussions surrounded Jamaica’s socio-economic performance, the country’s continued implementation of its reform agenda, The World Bank Group's engagement in support of these reforms and efforts to improve social and climate resilience. Through visits to World Bank Group supported projects, Ms. Hogan also saw the developmental impact of the Bank on the ground in Jamaica. The visit also showcased the contributions of a One World Bank Group as Ms. Hogan was supported on the ground by senior management from both the World Bank and the International Financial Corporation, the private sector arm of the Bank.

During her visit to Guyana in February, 2107 Ms. Hogan, accompanied by Advisor, Leslie Glen met with Hon. Winston Jordan, Minister of Finance. The meetings allowed for an excellent exchange on the prospects and challenges facing Guyana and the type of support needed from key multilateral institutions, such as World Bank Group. Ms. Hogan also seized the opportunity to make site visits to World Bank- supported projects.

A World Bank team led by Christine Hogan, Alternate ED, Peteranne Donaldson and a representative from senior management traveled to Grenada and met with Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, the new Chairman of the Small States Forum as well as technical experts. The objectives of the meetings were to: (i) begin consultations on the Small States Strategic Roadmap; and (ii) discuss priorities for the Small States Forum moving forward. The team held very good discussions with Prime Minister Mitchell who shared his insights and vision for the Small States Forum and his commitment to collaborate with the World Bank Group.