By Ying Qian The year 2023 may prove devastating for Global South countries, as more and more find themselves engulfed in debt distress. Indeed, more than 60 countries have been identified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as being in moderate to high debt distress or already in outright debt distress. Several countries such as […]
Multiple and overlapping crises have intensified debt vulnerabilities of emerging economies in recent years. In 2023, more than 60 countries are at or near significant debt distress, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Despite continued efforts by creditors and international communities, significant challenges remain for systematic and […]
In 2021, economic losses from natural catastrophes totaled $270 billion. Poor climate physical risk assessment limits adaptation finance, which is still lagging behind mitigation finance in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), but also high-income countries. A new policy brief published by the European Capital Markets Institute and authored by Irene Monasterolo, Kevin P. Gallagher, […]
By Luma Ramos and Rebecca Ray The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declared that the world stands at a ‘now or never’ moment. In this decade, nations must make the necessary investments to prevent global warming from surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius. Without those investments, the world will suffer severe consequences, including devastating human, ecological and […]
A debt crisis is emerging in the Global South at the precise moment when substantial investment is needed to meet shared climate and development goals. Yet, the G20 Common Framework has been unable to engage all creditor classes or link debt relief to climate and development. How can emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) find […]
By Oyintarelado Moses and Kevin P. Gallagher Recent reports suggest there may be new momentum in the beleaguered Group of 20 (G20) Common Framework negotiations in Zambia and beyond. Since its launch in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Common Framework has been plagued by reluctance to fully engage in negotiations from private […]
In parallel to a chaotic 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, leaders of Group of 20 (G20) countries met in Bali, Indonesia from November 15-16 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit against a backdrop of worsening climate impacts, an ongoing energy crisis, Russia’s war in Ukraine and skyrocketing inflation. Expectations for the […]
On August 23, 2021, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) allocated a historic $650 billion worth of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) in a general allocation to its 190 members, proportional to their quota. SDRs are an international reserve asset that can be exchanged for hard currency or donated among member countries. These new SDRs added much-needed […]
A debt crisis is looming in the Global South. High levels of public debt service and insufficient fiscal and monetary space are threatening recoveries and impeding much-needed investments in climate resilience and the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. A new policy brief from the Think7 (T7) Task Force on Sustainable Economic Recovery makes seven recommendations […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the most serious global health crisis of the past century. For many African countries in particular, the pandemic has also had severe social and economic impacts. Already fragile welfare systems have been threatened or overwhelmed. In addition, the pandemic has adversely affected African intraregional and international trade, investment flows […]