Guest Column: Pearl Matibe
On Monday, April 8, 2019, the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) began in Washington DC and by the 14th, the G20 and G24 as well as other meetings will also take place. Innovators, change-makers and policy-makers are among those attending.
Each spring, the boards of governors of the WBG and IMF hold spring meetings to discuss several issues on poverty reduction, international economic development and finance.
Last fall, the meeting was held in Bali, Indonesia. Today, a key question at the top of the minds of the citizens of Zimbabwe is whether Finance minister Mthuli Ncube managed to fulfil the requirements laid out for him to achieve by these two international financial institutions (IFIs) by April 8.
Who is attending from Zimbabwe?
Several entities are expected to send their representatives; two representatives from the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (Afrodad) as well as interim head of programmes and senior policy analyst for debt management, Tirivangani Mutazu and policy analyst, Yungong Theophilus Jong.
African Capacity Building Foundation(ACBF) is expected to send four observers, namely knowledge management expert Barassou Diawara, director Bakary Kone, chairperson Jernalese Erastus Onkundi Mwencha, and executive secretary Emmanuel Nnadozie. Andrew Masuwa, manager at African Export-Import Bank is also expected to attend.
Who else is coming?
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In total, the meetings will be attended by more than 5 431 people, 2 915 guests, 1 318 individuals representing civil society organisations, among them 656 observers.
From southern Africa, at least three individuals will represent the Development Bank of Southern Africa, while at least three will be from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), four from Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) while others will be from Angola.
Engage in the debate
Since the WBG streams and promotes high-level online events during the spring meetings, panel discussions, roundtables, speeches from the president and senior management, hangouts, live chats and expert question and answer sessions, it will be a time for the public to follow or engage in the debate (events are liveblogged and live-tweeted) by the WBG. Those online can engage through live blogs and can interact with panelists and online experts via polling, chatting and submitting questions or comments, including taking part in the global conversation, World Bank Live brings #WBGMeetings experience straight to you, wherever you are in the world.
The Banker, a global financial intelligence firm, said every year these meetings “bring together central bankers, ministers of Finance and Development, private sector executives, civil society, and academics to discuss issues of global concern. These issues include the world economic outlook, global financial stability, poverty eradication, jobs and growth, economic development and aid effectiveness. These meetings provide an opportunity for civil society organisations to share their views and interact with policymakers in a global setting.
Pearl Matibe has geographic expertise on United States foreign policy, think-tank impact, strategy and public policy issues. She writes in her personal capacity.
