Debt burdens were surging in many developing countries even before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Today, increased funding needs, rising funding costs, price pressures, and stretched asset valuations are putting extra pressure on debt managers. Climate-related risks pose an increasing danger to people’s lives and public finance, requiring debt managers to take a closer look at Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) factors while meeting funding needs. Under the circumstances, many countries will need to strengthen their debt-management capacity and enhance debt transparency.
The 12th Debt Management Facility (DMF) Stakeholders’ Forum, Navigating Debt: Meeting Tomorrow’s Funding Needs, will explore how this can be done. The forum, organized by the World Bank, will take place March 14-16, 2022. It will set the scene for high-level discussions on potential debt-management strategies in a period of high and persistent debt burdens for many low- and middle-income countries. It will also examine the use of innovative financing instruments in debt management and highlight the importance of legal frameworks for sound debt management and debt transparency.
March 14, 2022 - DAY ONE | |
8:00 - 8:05 am EDT | Opening Remarks: Mari E. Pangestu, Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank Group |
8:05 - 9:40 am EDT | Session 1: Coping with the Ongoing Challenges of a Growing Debt Burden The session will explore the main policy challenges given the rising debt burden, which already reached unsustainable levels in some countries. Participants will discuss the actions needed, both at the country and at the global level. Moderator: Indermit Gill, Vice President, Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions, World Bank Group Speakers:
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March 15, 2022 - DAY TWO | |
8:00 - 9:30 am EDT | Session 2: Is Innovative Financing a Silver Bullet? This session will invite the panelists to a candid dialogue on financing instruments that incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations, their potential benefits, and the main approaches to manage them. Moderator: Roger Nord, Deputy Director, Institute for Capacity Development, IMF and DMF Co-Chair Speakers:
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March 16, 2022 - DAY THREE | |
8:00 - 9:30 am EDT | Session 3: The Importance of Strong Legal Frameworks for Sound Debt Management and Debt Transparency This session focuses on the key elements of the legal framework of public debt management to help support sound public debt management and debt transparency. Moderator: Marcello Estevão, Global Director, Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment, World Bank Group and DMF Co-Chair Speakers:
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9:30 -9:40 am EDT | Closing Remarks:
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