The lingering pandemic has dealt the global economy an unprecedented shock, and the recovery is likely to be slow and uneven. The current crisis is exacerbating inequalities throughout the world and, without access to vaccines, the gap will widen further.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 has made clear the need to establish a better way to handle the debt-financing needs of developing economies. And for a sustainable future, solutions are most urgently needed in developing countries, where the investment gap is deepest, and people are most disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. So, what will it take to shape a resilient recovery that works for people and the planet?
Taking place fully virtually, the 2021 World Bank Group/IMF Spring Meetings will center around "helping countries build a green and resilient recovery." Leaders from government, business, international organizations, and civil society, along with a diverse group of experts, will discuss these global challenges and the path ahead to achieve resilient recovery.
What you’ll learn
New this year, on each event page, you’ll find many resources on the topics discussed from reports and research to “thought leadership” and feature stories and blogs. Our panelists and experts will discuss:
- How to achieve a green recovery and rebuild economic systems to better use resources and create a climate-friendly future.
- How firms can reinvent themselves to create more jobs, and how governments can find new ways to transform the crisis into an opportunity for growth. How youth can avoid the risk of a “lost generation.”
- How policy makers can ensure that everyone benefits from the recovery and inequality is not worsened. This includes attention to the ways the pandemic has disproportionately affected women and girls.
- Different perspectives on a new international financial architecture for debt, highlighting the consequences of inaction for poverty and development.
- Policy options countries should have to enhance resilient debt financing, support efficient debt restructuring when needed, and increase debt transparency.
- What is needed to help countries prepare for and invest in low-carbon, resilient development. What it will take to shape a resilient recovery that works for people and planet.
- The work underway in developing countries to prepare for large scale vaccine rollouts; the strengths and gaps in country readiness; measures to ensure access and distribution; and the importance of partnerships and cooperation across all stakeholders for success.
- The private sector’s essential role in driving innovation, production, and manufacturing to meet the enormous needs for COVID-19 vaccines, tests and therapeutics.
- How COVID-19 has created opportunities and challenges across research, finance and policy, as we work to build more resilient health and economic systems now –and in the future.
How to follow
If you’re like those of us global development professionals, you’re anticipating attending some World Bank Group sessions, and hearing some amazing speakers. You’re probably also looking through the schedule trying to figure out which sessions to attend or tune in.
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Connect with top development experts
Together with World Bank Group and IMF leadership and top experts, this year’s speakers include leaders from government, business, international organizations, and civil society who will share the best solutions for today’s dire global development issues. Have a question for them? Submit it ahead of the event and join the conversation LIVE. The most voted questions will be answered by our panelists and experts.
Featured speakers this year include:
John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (@JohnKerry)
Janet Yellen, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (@SecYellen)
Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal)
Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (@melindagates)
Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF (@unicefchief)
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (@DrTedros)
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization (@NOIweala)
Kevin Watkins, Chief Executive, Save the Children (@KevinAtSave)
To view the full list of speakers, click here. You can also follow this Twitter list we've created to make it even a bit easier for you to connect with them.
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Watch live or on-demand
World Bank Live is our digital platform for live-streamed and view on-demand programming, featuring global experts and leaders. For the most engagement, block out time now to watch our events live so you can engage with our experts after the panel sessions. Or come back to replay these events any time. We’ll be talking to Country Directors who will explain the challenges their countries face and how the Bank’s work with partners on ground is making a difference to people in every region.
Here's a rundown of some of the key events. For more, view the full schedule.
Tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic of Inequality to Build a Green, Inclusive, & Resilient Recovery
MONDAY, MARCH 29 | 12:30 ET
Economic Recovery: Toward a Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Future
TUESDAY, APRIL 6TH | 1:00 PM ET
2021 Spring Meetings Opening Press Conference
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7TH | 10:00 ET
Rethinking Debt: Financing the Future Amid Crisis
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7TH | 12:00 PM ET
Key Green Transitions for People and Planet
THURSDAY, APRIL 8TH | 11:00 AM ET
COVID-19: Vaccines for Developing Countries
FRIDAY, APRIL 9TH | 11:00 AM ET
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Follow the Live Updates page
With our Live Updates page, we are also bringing these activities closer to you, so you won't miss a thing! You will find a daily coverage and recap of the World Bank Group events. These live updates bring the power of our events, featuring dynamic discussions with top experts, economists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators and more.
Bookmark, read, watch, and come back for the recaps.
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Get Social
We'll be live tweeting our World Bank Group events on our social media channels in English, Arabic, French and Spanish. Follow the hashtags: #ResilientRecovery, #GreenRecoveryWBG, #InclusiveFuture, #Vaccines4All, #Debt4Dev. Share, like and retweet! Don't forget to join the discussion and submit your questions and remarks for events speakers and experts to answer!
Follow the Meetings on all our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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Engage
During this pandemic, the remarkable creativity and innovation of youth-led initiatives in sectors like health, jobs, and food security are stories worth telling. These efforts prove that young people are critical in driving forward ideas and actions on global issues - and their voices deserve our attention.
Our first round of the #YouthOnCOVID19 campaign heightened awareness of the challenges developing countries face in responding to COVID-19 and highlighted the specific obstacles facing young people.
This time around we gave youth in developing countries a platform to be part of the recovery bringing their ideas to the stage where decisions are made, the World Bank Group/IMF Spring Meetings. We asked them to tell us in a 1-min video: How can youth in your country participate in a resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic? The winning entries will be shared on the World Bank platforms during the Spring Meetings. Follow the hashtag #YouthOnCOVID19 to engage with these entries. Watch and share your thoughts.
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Subscribe to our newsletter
Join the mailing list for news and updates about the Spring Meetings. We will keep you informed with emails that include upcoming events, events recap, and highlights of big announcements during the Meetings. Here’s where you can subscribe.
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