Climate Policy at the International Monetary Fund: Securing a Development-Centered Approach

As the only multilateral, rules-based institution charged with promoting the stability of the international financial and monetary system to enable longer-run growth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has a central role to play in the transition to a low carbon and resilient global economy.

In July, the IMF released a policy paper outlining its strategy to help member countries address climate change-related policy challenges - the first step in devising how the Fund will mainstream climate change into its work. This is a welcome action, especially in context of the sobering UN-appointed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released in August. However, with the consequences of climate change becoming more alarming, the scope of the IMF’s strategy must be greater.

How can the IMF center economic development to build more resilient economies and encourage unprecedented global collaboration? What role can the IMF play in helping the global transition towards a greener and more resilient future? How can the IMF take full advantage of this moment for change? Where are the opportunities for growth in the IMF’s new strategy report? Finally, at the most basic level, what should the IMF's guiding principles be in addressing climate change, as the Fund embarks into a new policy landscape?

On Tuesday, October 5, from 9:00-10:00 AM EDT // 3:00-4:00 PM CEST, join the webinar discussion with experts and global leaders in climate policy, development and international financial stability.

This webinar is co-sponsored by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, the Intergovernmental Group of 24 (G24), the Vulnerable Group of Twenty (V20) Ministers of Finance, the African Economic Research Consortium, the National School of Development at Peking University, the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, the Financial Futures Center, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Speakers:

• Amar Bhattacharya: Senior Fellow, Center for Sustainable Development, Brookings Institution

• Ma Jun: Director of the Macro and Green Finance Lab at the National School of Development, Peking University

• Abebe Shimeles: Director of Research, African Economic Research Consortium

• Daniel Titelman: Director, Economic Development Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

• Marilou Uy, moderator: Director of the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development

• Sara Jane Ahmed, moderator: Finance Advisor for the Vulnerable Group of Twenty (V20) Ministers of Finance