Andrey Bokarev from the Ministry of Finance of Russia took part in the discussion on the first ever virtual meeting of the Development Committee of the Bretton Woods Institutions on April 17. Representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the Russian Executive Director’s Office at the World Bank also attended the virtual meeting.
The meeting agenda was focused on the global response to minimize the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. To read about the meeting results please press here.
In his speech, Mr. Bokarev stressed the need for urgent assistance to the World Bank member-states in order to ensure the smooth operation of medical institutions and related infrastructure, such as energy, water supply, etc. He also called on the Bank’s management and shareholders to abandon in the face of crisis any political considerations and ensure equal access to emergency assistance for all countries in need. In addition, the Russian side suggested that the Bank could learn from the experience of functioning of the multilateral emergency stocks of medical supplies and protective gear at the regional or sub-regional level and consider expanding their coverage.