Commissioner Piebalgs to attend the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
On 8 and 9 October, European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs is in Washington to attend the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) where he will deliver a speech to the Development Committee, the World Bank's and IMF's ministerial forum on development issues. On 8th October, he will be a key note speaker at the German Marshall Fund to discuss "how to make Development Sustainable in time of austerity".
The Commissioner will further address a Round Table on Sudan organized by the World Bank, at a time when the world needs to focus on a peaceful transition after the referendum on South Sudan's self-determination that is foreseen for January 2011. During his visit to Washington he will also meet World Bank Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati and World Bank Vice President for Africa, Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili.
Ahead of his trip, European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs said: "The Development Committee of the World Bank is a key forum for the main global players in development. I am looking forward to discussions on the resilience of developing countries during the crisis, on development results and on reforms. They will provide a springboard to an agenda of inclusive and sustainable growth in developing countries. I will soon be launching an initiative for a future EU development policy to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and lasting impact. We all need to sharpen our instruments to achieve added value and real results in the global fight against poverty." Commissioner Piebalgs added: "In Sudan, we need the combined efforts of the international community to support the country's development and stability. The EU has already provided €665 million in aid to the country since 2005 and will continue to support the country's upcoming challenges."
The joint Development Committee of the World Bank and the IMF is a ministerial forum that facilitates intergovernmental consensus-building on development issues and meets twice a year. Its session on 9 October will debate the resilience of developing countries during the global crisis, the performance of the International Development Association, ahead of the next replenishment and progress made in internal and governance reforms of the World Bank Group. The European Commission is invited to the Development Committee as an observer.
The Round Table on Sudan, organized by the World Bank, is expected to focus on the high international debt burden of the country, as well as on other key strategic issues such as the medium term development agenda for both the North and the South of Sudan.
Schedule of the visit
On Friday, 8 October, Commissioner Piebalgs will attend a public event at the German Marshall Fund, to which he has been invited as the main panellist. The panel will address the issue of "How to Make Development Sustainable in a Time of Fiscal Austerity". This will be followed by a meeting with representatives of the "Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network", a US advocacy group that focuses on the reform of US foreign assistance.
On Saturday, 9 October, Andris Piebalgs will address the "Round Table on Sudan", chaired by Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, Vice President of the World Bank. The Commissioner will also meet Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Vice President for Africa, Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili of the World Bank. He will conclude his visit by addressing the joint Development Committee of the World Bank and the IMF.
Related websites:
- IP/10/919 on the allocation of €150 million to war-affected populations in Sudan
- IP/10/694 on the Commissions contribution to the World Food Programme to address urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan
- Website of the EU Delegation to Sudan
