This event is by invitaton only

12.30 Registration

1.30-2.00 Opening remarks

·        President of WBG, Jim Yong Kim
·        Seychelles Minister of Finance, Jean-Paul Adam
·        UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson

2.00-3.00 Panel 1: “Challenges and Opportunities for Equitable Growth”

A focus on the growth drivers of small states is critical. Opportunities for financial assistance to help small states address the nexus of low growth and high debt are of utmost importance. The blue economy offers opportunities for equitable growth and many small states are engaging in this domain. De-risking also has serious implications for many small states. De-risking threatens trade and financial integration, which has poverty and sustainable development implications.

3.00-3.45 Panel 2: “Challenges and Opportunities for Resilience”

Strengthening financial, climate and social resilience remains a challenge for many small states. Small states are particularly susceptible to natural disasters as well as the effects of climate change, which pose critical challenges – with varying degrees of severity – causing major costs to human life and infrastructure and creating considerable macroeconomic volatility.

Break

4.00-4.45 Panel 3: “Challenges and Opportunities for Financing and Partnerships”

Many small states are at high risk of debt distress, precluding them from access to non-concessional resources. Their income levels often exclude them from concessional finance. Progress has been made since the conferences in Samoa, Addis, and Myanmar, and a number of innovative financing mechanisms have been developed for small states. However, more effective support for financing (absorption) issues in low income states is necessary, as well as a decrease in donor fragmentation.

4.45 – 5.30 Closing remarks

·        Outgoing and incoming chair
·        Development partners, heads of agencies.

5.30 – 7.00 Reception