World Bank Group Seminar Weathering Many Storms: The Role of Infrastructure in Resilient Growth

The world is facing multiple crises: the prolonged human and economic impacts of COVID-19, increasing severity of climate change events disrupting millions of lives, war in Europe, and a looming food shortage. Against this backdrop, quality infrastructure that is resilient, supports economic growth, and delivers essential services to people is more critical than ever.

In this context, the World Bank Group, in partnership with the government of Japan, is hosting a knowledge event for Japanese audiences on the role of infrastructure in promoting green, resilient, and inclusive growth in these uncertain times. The event will draw on the extensive experience of the government of Japan and the World Bank Group in this area. It will also highlight lessons from Japanese-supported global programs that promote resilient, quality infrastructure within both public and private investment.

Presenters and panelists will share strategic insights, lessons learned, and innovative approaches pioneered by Japan and the World Bank.

This event is held virtually and co-sponsored by the Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) Partnership, the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF), the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Hub, and the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC). Participants from academia, government ministries, the Japanese private sector, and civil society are welcomed. Online registration is required to participate in this event. Questions and comments to the speakers can also be sent via this online registration form.

Main Speakers:

Sameh Naguib Wahba
Outgoing Global Director for Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience, and Land Practice Group, Incoming Regional Director for Sustainable Development, Europe and Central Asia

Imad Fakhoury
Global Director, Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees Practice Group

Megumi Muto
Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Moderator:

Dirk Reinermann
Director of Trust Funds and Partner Relations

URL for livestreaming:

The access link will be sent to participants on their registered e-mail address.

6:00–6:10 p.m. JST

Welcoming

Dirk Reinermann
Director of Trust Funds And Partner Relations

Opening remarks

Masashi Tanabe
Director, Multilateral Development Banks Division, International Bureau

6:10–6:25 p.m. JST 

Lightning Talks: Development agenda of Japan & World Bank programs

Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees Practice Group

• Quality Infrastructure Partnership – Jane Jamieson
• Global Infrastructure Facility – Susumu Takahashi

Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience, and Land Practice Group

• Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Hub – Niels B. Holm-Nielsen
• Tokyo Development Learning Centre – Maitreyi B Das

6:25–7:10 p.m. JST 

Panel Discussion: The Role of Infrastructure in Resilient Growth

Panel Speakers:

• Sameh Naguib Wahba
  Outgoing Global Director for Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience, and Land Practice Group, Incoming Regional Director for Sustainable Development, Europe and Central Asia
• Imad Fakhoury
  Global Director, Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees Practice Group
• Megumi Muto
  Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Moderator: 

• Dirk Reinermann
  Director of Trust Funds and Partner Relations

7:15–7:45 p.m. JST

Q&A

• Fatouma Toure Ibrahima
  Practice Manager, Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees Practice Group

7:45–7:55 p.m. JST 

Closing remarks

• Yasuaki Yoneyama
  Special Representative, World Bank Tokyo Office