Global Financing Facility: Investing in People

The World Bank and Global Financing Facility (GFF) co-hosted a special event featuring youth, global development leaders, and representatives from GFF countries for a discussion on how investments in the health and nutrition of women, children and adolescents can save lives today and build human capital for the future.

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva kicked off the event by highlighting the urgency of investing in the health and nutrition of women and children, and how the GFF works to save lives. Norway’s Minister of International Development, Nikolai Astrup, made the case for further investment in the GFF.

Taking place on the International Day of the Girl, the event included a conversation between Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Nur Wulan Nugrahani, a peer educator and youth advocate in Indonesia, highlighting the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights in empowering young people.

Following the conversation, Joanne Carter, executive director of RESULTS, moderated a panel discussion on the role of the GFF in supporting the human capital agenda. Panelists included Jacob Jusu Saffa, Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone; Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of National Development Planning, Indonesia; William Francis Morneau, Minister of Finance, Canada; Henrietta Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF; Nick Dyer, Director General, Economic Development and International and Director General, Policy and Global Programmes, UK Department for International Development; and Kevin Watkins, Chief Executive, Save the Children. Annette Dixon, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank Group wrapped up the event with closing remarks.