ABIDJAN, July 5, 2021 – His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and the World Bank Group will host a high-level meeting on July 15, 2021, with African leaders to highlight the importance of an ambitious and robust 20th replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA20). The replenishment will support a resilient recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and help the continent continue its economic transformation.
As African countries grapple with the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, continued support from the World Bank, particularly from IDA, is critical to help them meet their financing needs, which were already high before the pandemic.
This high-level meeting follows the call from African leaders, during the African economies financing Summit in Paris last May, asking for increased support to build back better and greener from the crisis. The discussions will help identify key priorities for financing in Africa, and champion a strong policy and financing package for an ambitious IDA20 replenishment. Africa is IDA’s biggest beneficiary with 39 countries and has made significant headway in improving development indicators in the six decades partnership with the World Bank.
WHO:
- African Heads of State are expected to attend from the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda;
- Heads of Regional Institutions and development partners
- World Bank Group Officials.
WHERE: Sofitel Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
WHEN: Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. GMT
HIGHLIGHTS OF INTEREST TO THE MEDIA: Media are invited to attend the opening including Heads of State group photo and closing of the event.
RSVP: To get accredited for the event, please RSVP by July 13 to:
- Issa Bamba at issa.bamba@presidence.ci or +2250708663734
- Léon Fossou: leon.fossou@presidence.ci or +2250707936912
For further information:
- Cote d’Ivoire Presidency:
- Issa Bamba, issa.bamba@presidence.ci or +225 07 08 66 37 34
- Léon Fossou, leon.fossou@presidence.ci or +2250707936912
- World Bank Group:
- Aby Toure, akonate@worldbank.org or
- Enoh Ndri, endri@worldbank.org or +225 22 40 04 08
The International Development Association (IDA) is one of the largest sources of funding for fighting extreme poverty in the world’s lowest income countries. IDA provides zero- or low-interest loans and grants to countries for projects and programs that boost economic growth, build resilience, and improve the lives of poor people around the world. Since 1960, IDA has provided about $422 billion for investments in 114 countries. As an institution of the World Bank Group, IDA combines global expertise with an exclusive focus on reducing poverty and boosting prosperity in the world’s lowest income countries. Learn more online: IDA.worldbank.org. #IDAworks4Africa
