This year’s International Council meeting has been adapted to a virtual format and will be held alongside the virtual IMF/World Bank Annual Meeting the week of October 12-16. Members that are interested in attending may contact the Secretariat (secretariat@brettonwoods.org) for registration information.
International Council 2020: Building a Post-Pandemic Economy and Multilateral System
Alongside the tragic human toll, the coronavirus pandemic has ushered in the worst global recession since the Great Depression. Confronting growing uncertainty, a sluggish recovery, and burdensome debt, the international financial institutions (IFIs) have a critical role to play. In the face of these challenges - exacerbated by domestic "go-it-alone" policy approaches and tensions between major economies - global leaders must make the case for international cooperation. This year's International Council will convene global thought leaders to discuss how to rebuild the global economy and strengthen the multilateral system.
Central Banks: Crisis Panacea?
Monday, Oct. 12 | 10:30 - 12:00 PM EDT
The global downturn triggered by COVID-19 has highlighted the increasingly essential crisis-fighting role of central banks, which have deployed a range of traditional and innovative tools to stabilize financial markets. Going forward, which policy levers will be most effective and how can central banks best coordinate?
Janet Yellen, Distinguished Fellow in Residence, Brookings Institution and Former Chair, Federal Reserve Board
Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman, Société Générale and Former Executive Board Member, European Central Bank
William C. Dudley (Moderator), Senior Research Scholar, Griswold Center for Economic Policy Studies at Princeton University and Former President, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
BWC Member Discussion with Executive Committee
Tuesday, Oct. 13 | 2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
Members of the Bretton Woods Committee are invited to join the Executive Committee for a discussion on the recent leadership transition and plans for the future. Executive Committee members William C. Dudley, John Lipsky, and William R. Rhodes will provide brief introductory remarks to be followed by open discussion with members. Please join to share your perspective on the Committee’s future.
Rebuilding for the Future
Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 2:00 - 2:45 PM EDT
The novel coronavirus pandemic has battered the global economy: the latest IMF forecast projects negative 4.9% global growth in 2020 and extreme poverty is set to increase for the first time since 1998. Given these dramatic headwinds, how can the international community and the IMF help rebuild the global economy? In today’s shock-prone world, how can we build resilient, sustainable economies?
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF
John Lipsky (Moderator), Peter G. Peterson Distinguished Scholar, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Former First Deputy Managing Director, IMF
Debt and Development
Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 2:45 - 3:30 PM EDT
The World Bank predicts that the dual health and economic crises triggered by Covid-19 could push more than 70 million people into extreme poverty in 2020. How can the international community and the World Bank work to prevent development backsliding? What can be done to support countries facing a public health crisis, recession, and mounting debt?
David Malpass, President, World Bank
William R. Rhodes (Moderator), President and CEO, William R. Rhodes Global Advisors and Former Chairman, President, and CEO, Citibank
Emerging Market Debt and Financial Stability Risks
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 9:00 - 10:30 AM EDT
The COVID-19 crisis continues to strain emerging market and least developed country economies, with many experiencing rising debt and precipitous declines in trade, capital inflows, and reserves. How can the international community help mitigate financial stability and growth risks posed by rising debt levels?
Wei Sun Christianson, Chief Executive Officer, Morgan Stanley China, Co-CEO Morgan Stanley Asia Pacific
Arminio Fraga, Founding Partner, Gávea Investimentos and Former Governor, Central Bank of Brazil
Maria Ramos, Chief Executive Officer (Retired), Absa Group Limited
William R. Rhodes (Moderator), President and CEO, William R. Rhodes Global Advisors and Former Chairman, President, and CEO, Citibank
Financing a Global Public Health Response
Friday, Oct. 16 | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
As COVID-19 continues to spread, countries around the world are dedicating significant public resources to combatting the pandemic, funding everything from contact tracing to equipment for hospitals to public education efforts. How are countries funding these programs, particularly in resource-constrained environments? Which countries have been most successful and what can be learned from their experience? What risks are associated with the redirecting limited public health resources towards the COVID-19 crisis? How can the international community and the World Bank support country efforts?
Kalipso Chalkidou, Director of Global Health Policy, Center for Global Development
Cristina Valencia, Epidemiologist, World Health Organization
Feng Zhao, Practice Manager, Health, Population and Nutrition Global Engagement, World Bank
Alexander Preker (Moderator), Executive Scholar, Columbia University, New York University, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai