The World Bank Group and the IMF organized a one day workshop for Parliamentarians in Washington D.C. on October 9, 2013, in cooperation with the Parliamentary Network (on the World Bank and IMF). Over 20 MPs attended the workshop, which took place just ahead of the Bank and Fund Annual Meetings (see list of participants). UK MP and IDC member Jeremy Lefroy moderated the workshop in his capacity as Chair of the Parliamentary Network (programme is attached).
Participating parliamentarians had a chance to discuss current issues with experts from the two institutions. The program of day 1 included briefings on the World Bank Group's new strategic directions (by Manager, Country and Operational Services, Barbara Lee); on theWBG's anti-corruption work (by Director for Operations in the Integrity Vice Presidency, Stephen Zimmerman); on the IDA 17 replenishment (by Vice President, Concessional Finance and Partnerships, Joachim van Amsberg and Director of IDA Resource Mobilisation, Antonella Bassini); on the Open Financial Data and WBG Finances App (by World Bank Open Finances, Controller's Vice Presidency, Sandra Moscoso).
In addition to the workshop programme, the MPs had a number of other bilateral meetings with the World Bank Group, including with the Director for Strategy, Operations and Regional Integration in Africa, Colin Bruce.
At the end of the Workshop and on the occasion of these 2013 Annual Meetings in Washington, members of the Parliamentary Network (PN) on the World Bank and IMF issued a statement in support of IDA (read the statement).
Read the Report prepared by the Parliamentary Network
The Workshop is designed to afford parliamentarians the opportunity to discuss firsthand with senior officials from the World Bank and IMF current issues related to the global economy, international finance, and development. This program attests to the importance that both organizations attach to their dialogue with parliamentarians worldwide and the central role that parliamentarians play in their countries in the context of economic decision-making and poverty reduction. This includes parliamentarians’ role in devising a response to the recent global crisis but also to develop sustainable strategies for growth, deliberations on the budget, and designing poverty reduction strategies in their countries. The workshop is, at the same time, an opportunity for World Bank and IMF staff to hear from parliamentarians about their concerns and improve these organizations’ understanding of the political and social contexts in which economic decisions in the respective countries are undertaken.
