The 2024 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will take place in Washington, D.C., from Monday, October 21, to Saturday, October 26. These conferences, which bring together powerful leaders, decision-makers, and interested parties to debate important issues affecting world economies, are crucial events in the calendar of international economic affairs.
Overview of the Annual Meetings
The core ministerial meetings and events will take place from October 22 to October 25, with a series of debates on critical global economic issues such as financial stability, economic development, poverty reduction, and climate action. The meetings provide an opportunity for central bankers, finance ministers, private sector executives, academia, civil society, and the media to participate in discourse, share views, and agree on plans for long-term global development.
Key Events and Agenda
Some of the prominent events include:
- Development Committee Lunch: Thursday, October 24, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM.
- Annual Meetings Plenary: Friday, October 25, from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM.
- Development Committee Plenary: Friday, October 25, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
- IMFC Plenary: Friday, October 25, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
In addition to these sessions, the Annual Meetings will feature a comprehensive program of events, including regional briefings, press conferences, seminars, and workshops on international development, the global economy, and financial markets.
Focus Areas and Institutional Priorities
This year’s meetings occur at an important time for both the IMF and the WBG as they negotiate a fast-changing global scene. The World Bank Group is undergoing significant adjustments to better address global issues, particularly in the fight against extreme poverty and preparing for demographic trends in the Global South. Nearly 700 million people remain in extreme poverty, and an additional 1.2 billion young people are likely to enter the labour force in the Global South during the next decade. The WBG aspires to increase its influence, harness private-sector collaborations, and contribute to climate action and sustainable development.
The IMF’s primary agenda items include promoting global economic stability, addressing debt sustainability in vulnerable countries, and investigating the relationship between monetary policy and climate change.
Women’s efforts to improve the world will also be on the table. Accelerating equality is an urgent priority and poverty cannot be ended on a livable planet with half the population excluded from reaching their full potential.
Opportunities for Stakeholder Engagement
The Annual Meetings also serve as a platform for various stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), through the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF). The CSPF promotes open communication among CSOs, IMF and WBG staff, government representatives, and other stakeholders on many policy topics.
Other significant engagements include:
- Global Parliamentary Forum (Day 1 on October 21)
- Press Briefings: Covering reports such as the World Economic Outlook, Global Financial Stability Report, and Fiscal Monitor.
- Seminars and Workshops: Addressing themes like job creation, digital transformation in social safety nets, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
After Morocco hosted the 2023 Annual Meetings, the 2024 edition will return to Washington, D.C., as per the regular venue rotation. As the globe faces economic uncertainties and pressing development concerns, the summits aim to galvanise joint efforts for global economic stability, poverty eradication, and equitable growth.
Stakeholders throughout the world will be watching intently as the outcomes of these meetings set the tone for international economic cooperation in the coming year.
Written by Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar, USA/UN Correspondent.
