Watch Annual Meetings development events 
from Oct 16-19. Comment and engage with experts. Calendar of Events
Each Fall, the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) hold the Annual Meetings to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic development and finance. World Bank Live brings the #WBGMeetings experience straight to you, wherever you are in the world.
October 16th-19th
October 16th-19th
We're back with our semi-annual Global Voices interview series! We spoke with 19 dynamic leaders and changemakers who have fostered strong results for global development in their countries. View the schedule of interviews here.
We live-streamed events in English, Spanish, French and Arabic. Check out all the replays here!
Well everyone, it's been a long, but exciting week at the 2019 Annual Meetings! It's been a pleasure taking you through it all, and we hope you enjoyed it too. Thank you for following us on the live blog and our social channels over the last few days. Remember, you can always catch up on the events or interviews you missed, or the conversations that took place online. We brought you events in three other languages too: Spanish, French and Arabic, so be sure to catch the replays that interest you!
Until we see you next time, thank you and goodbye!
Global growth remains subdued, with the pace of investment and trade softening, and downside risks persisting due to policy uncertainty, trade tensions, financial volatility, and rising debt. The World Bank Group, in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, can help emerging and low-income countries bolster potential growth, increase their resilience to shocks, boost domestic revenues, and continue building policy buffers. The two organizations have an important role to play in addressing the increase in debt vulnerabilities, and they can help countries meet a range of challenges to the international financial system, including tackling corruption.
These were key messages from the Development Committee, a ministerial-level forum of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, in a communiqué issued at the close of the institutions’ Annual Meetings in Washington. Read more.
Themes for this year's 2019 Annual Meetings spanned from inclusive growth to women's economic empowerment, jobs, human capital, resilience and adaptation, and more. As we begin to wrap up, take a look back at some key moments from this year's Meetings.
So how do we close the gender gap?
Today’s State of the Africa Region event attempted to answer this age-old question and put some answers into practice. The discussion, moderated by Julie Gichuru, did not disappoint in terms of diversity, passion, and humor, with Africa Region Vice President Hafez Ghanem in his opening remarks declaring himself a newborn feminist in his “old age”, and Chief Economist Albert Zeufack linking gender inequality to slower-than-expected growth of just 2.6 percent for 2019.
An animated group of panelists talked through practical ways to close the gap between men and women in Africa. While there was consensus on areas like access to health, education, empowerment, and changing social norms, entrepreneur Ciiru Waithaka highlighted the need to move beyond gathering data and use what we know to drive tangible results. As a doctor working in fragile environment, Christabel Ngwashi outlined the important role of women in health care at all levels (policy, community, individual), and urged women not to rely on entitlement, but to earn their place in society. And Acha Leke of McKinsey Africa emphasized that even when we know which interventions show promise, it is equally important to track their impact.
Follow the conversation online using #AfricaSOR.
Why are Safer Roads Important in Tackling Poverty?
Can Africa Achieve Digital Transformation by 2030?
How can we create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs?
Can you believe we’re getting to the close of the 2019 Annual Meetings? We’ve still got one more day of events so don’t go anywhere just yet! Join us tomorrow as we talk about women’s economic empowerment in Africa.
All Day: 2021 Annual Meetings, Moroccan Exhibit
⏱ 9:30 ET/13:30 GMT: State of the Africa Region: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa
We spoke with Reeta Roy, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation.
We had a great conversation with Dina El-Shenoufy, Chief Investment Officer, Flat6Labs.
Peter Njonjo, Co-Founder and CEO, Twiga Foods, spoke to us about how technology can enable entrepreneurship.
Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission, spoke to us about digital transformation in Africa.
It was a full day of interviews, and that's only half of what we covered! See our full schedule of interviews here!
This is what you were talking about today, with these hashtags dominating our digital space!
It’s no longer enough to talk about ways to boost economies in Africa and the Middle East. The time for real action is now, according to a panel of ministers, entrepreneurs, and development professionals at Friday’s IFC-sponsored event: Jobs and Economic Transformation.
IFC CEO Philippe Le Houérou opened the event with the sobering estimate that Africa needs 1.7 million new jobs every month to keep pace with population growth and the huge demographic shift toward working-age young people. A mindset shift is needed to make this happen, he added, saying a combination of public and private efforts are the best—and perhaps only—way forward. A combination of governmental regulatory changes and risk mitigation would encourage private investors to consider working in some of the world’s most challenging places.
Panelists included Adan Mohamed Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community and Regional Development, Kenya; Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, Egypt; Nadeem Ahmed, owner, Global Tea and Commodities; Reeta Roy, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation; and Peter Njonjo, CEO, Twiga Foods. CNBC Africa Anchor and Producer Nozipho Mbanjwa moderated the event.
The group agreed that Africa and MENA should encourage development of sectors like agriculture, textiles, leather production, and even technology in order to create “dignified work” that will allow the regions’ citizens to support themselves and their families. But one major hurdle is readiness and would require, Roy said, working with the disrupters in education to train people with relevant skills.
Panelists each summed up their thoughts on the topic with a sentence beginning with the words “job creation and transformation.”
You did it! We’re at the end of a long, but exciting day here at the Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. Let’s rest up a bit and re-energize, because we’re back in full force again tomorrow to talk about jobs, the private sector in fragile countries, and opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
This is what to expect:
All Day: 2021 Annual Meetings, Moroccan Exhibit
⏱ 9:00 ET/13:00 GMT: Several events as part of the CSO Forum, beginning at 9AM ET. See schedule here, and check back as the week unfolds!
⏱ 11:00 ET/15:00 GMT: Jobs and Economic Transformation
⏱ 11:00 ET/15:00 GMT: Private Sector in Fragile Situations: Getting the Job Done
⏱ 15:00 ET/19:00 GMT: Unleashing the Potential of Women Entrepreneurs through Finance and Markets
This is what you were talking about online today, in EMOJIS! Do you recognize yours?
What is the unique role of development in crisis settings? As the World Bank Group develops its strategy for fragility, conflict and violence, it brought together Aïchatou Boulama Kané (Minister of Planning, Niger,) Henrietta Fore (Executive Director, UNICEF,) Nancy Lindborg (President and CEO, U.S. Institute for Peace) and WB Managing Director of Operations, Axel van Trotsenburg to discuss how its long-term approach complements humanitarian agencies, governments, civil society, the private sector and other actors in fragile situations.
Here are some the of the points raised:
There is urgency to act now – as Fore said, 10 years are not much in the context of peace negotiations, but they are a lifetime for a child.
Global value chains (GVCs) powered an economic revolution over the past three decades: growth accelerated, incomes rose, and poverty rates plunged. Almost 50% of global trade involves GVCs, but rising trade tensions and uncertainties over market access threaten their future.
Penny Goldberg, World Bank Group Chief Economist, together with Arturo Herrera Gutierrez, Mexico’s Finance Minister, and Ville Skinnari, Finland’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, discussed how countries can use GVCs to grow in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
Goldberg summarized the latest World Development Report, Trading for Development in the Age of Global Value Chains while the two ministers reflected on experiences of their countries.
GVCs make it easier for developing countries to join global trade and use it to develop, Goldberg said. Their biggest benefit is that they facilitate the transfer of knowledge, she added.
Reflecting on Mexico’s experience with GVCs, Minister Herrera said microspecialities have their opportunity to develop to their fullest under GVCs. Minister Skinnari, meanwhile, stressed the importance of respecting intellectual property within GVCs and the importance of the human capital.
Panelists reflected on the need to continue a rules-based trade system as well as stable trade agreements. They also discussed how to address inequality, gender equality and climate change within GVCs context.
They also discussed the impact new digital technologies. New technologies and automation are good news for trade, Goldberg said, adding that new technologies have not affected jobs worldwide.
They have led to a decline of jobs in high-income countries, but they have led to an increase in jobs in developing countries.
Well, if you thought today was busy, get ready for tomorrow! The buzz continues as we delve into debt, inclusive growth, human capital, and so much more. Check out the line up below, mark your must-sees, and join us back here when it all begins again!
All Day: 2021 Annual Meetings, Moroccan Exhibit
⏱ 8:45 AM/12:45 GMT: 2019 Annual Meetings Opening Press Conference
⏱ 9:00 ET/13:00 GMT: Several events as part of the CSO Forum, beginning at 9AM ET. See schedule here, and check back as the week unfolds!
⏱ 10:30 ET/14:30 GMT: Decoding Debt: Getting Transparency Right
⏱ 11:30 ET/15:30 GMT: Connecting Africa through Broadband: A Roadmap for Inclusive Growth
⏱ 12:30 ET/16:30 GMT: Learning Poverty: Building the Foundation of Human Capital
⏱ 14:00 ET/18:00 GMT: Invest in Nature: Uncovering the Hidden Value of Biodiversity
⏱ 14:00 ET/18:00 GMT: End of an Era? Global Value Chains, Trade and Development
⏱ 15:00 ET/19:00 GMT: The Infrastructure Revolution: Integration, Investment and Innovation
⏱ 16:00 ET/20:00 GMT: Catalyzing Environmental, Social and Governance Investment
How Can We Create Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs, with Pakistani entrepreneur Maheen Adamjee
How Can We Create a Better Future for Young People in Rural Areas?
How Can We Create Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs, with CEO Ciiru Waithaka
Remember to come back for more interviews tomorrow, Thursday, October 17!
Interview with Patricia Gichinga
Interview with Ciiru Waweru Waithaka and Maheen Adamjee
#FintechInnovators are transforming financial services around the world and empowering financially underserved people and businesses.
Monica Brand Engel, Co-Founding Partner, Quona Capital, Benjamin E. Diokno, Governor Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Ashraf Sabry, CEO, Fawry, and Andrew Torre, Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), Visa Inc., discussed emerging opportunities and risks, the financial inclusion challenge, and regulatory strategies to foster inclusive innovation and financial expansion.
Here are some points they highlighted:
Watch a recording and IFC CEO Philippe H. Le Houérou’s introduction here.
Here’s an easy—and visually appealing! –way of drilling down the themes and topics of interest amongst the global community at the start of today’s Annual Meetings. What stands out for you?
Are you getting excited? Because we sure are! We worked hard today to make sure we're ready to bring you LIVE coverage of the 2019 World Bank Group Annual Meetings. Remember, it all starts tomorrow!
This year's events will try to get to the heart of development, discussing themes that include inclusive economic growth, resilience and adaptation, human capital, jobs, women's economic empowerment and more.
Delegates from our member countries, observer organizations, civil society, private sector, and media have begun coming in to register for events and attend preliminary meetings. The atmosphere here today is busier than usual, but with a vibrant excitement of what's to come.
Before it gets too overwhelming, be sure to bookmark these pages for easy access to all the ways in which you can follow the Meetings online!
Live Events Schedule: https://live.worldbank.org/annual-meetings-2019
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Don't forget that we're also multilingual! We'll bring you coverage in Arabic, French and Spanish. Follow these handles to get an inside look in the language of your preference:
العربية: @AlbankAldawli
Français: @BanqueMondiale
Español: @BancoMundial
Participate, ask questions, chat with us, and more importantly, ENGAGE in our discussions on some of the most pressing development issues today. See you soon!
Hi everyone and welcome! It’s that time of year again…we’re back to give you LIVE coverage as we take a deep dive into the 2019 Annual Meetings in Washington, DC.
If you’re like those of us global development professionals, you’re anticipating meeting other peers who live and breathe ending poverty. You're also attending some great sessions and listening to some amazing speakers on the mainstage. You’re probably also looking through the schedule trying to figure out which sessions to attend or tune in to! Events this year span across several themes, including human capital, poverty, resilience and adaptation, inclusive growth, women's economic empowerment, jobs and much more.
And hey, have you read our kick-off blog? It has tons of information on how to stay tuned and connected during the Meetings!
For example, did you know there are four ways you can follow the 2019 Annual Meetings?
1. Connect with top development experts.
2. Engage on social media.
3. Join our mailing list for news and updates about the Annual Meetings.
4. Watch online if you can’t be at the Meetings in person.
Don’t forget to bookmark this space. We’ll be coming to you live in less than a week. See you then!
The World Bank Group can help developing countries drive growth from the ground up, so that they can reduce poverty and create opportunities across every sector of society and the economy.
This was the central message of President David Malpass’ speech on Monday at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Delivered ahead of the World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings, the speech was an important moment to highlight our mission: using country programs to help clients build strong policy frameworks and robust institutions, so that they can tackle a wide range of challenges and pursue broad-based growth.
The speech was followed by a lively discussion with students moderated by Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill.
Missed it? Tune in right here to catch the replay of the conversation! You can also read his speech as prepared.
