THE 2019 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently taking place in Washington, D.C., until Sunday, October 20.
The Annual Meetings bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness. Also featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world’s financial system.
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Allen Chastanet and Minister for Economic Development Guy Joseph are currently attending the meetings along with a team from the department of Finance which includes Permanent Secretary (Finance) Cointha Thomas, Director of Research and Policy Jemma Lafeuille and Department of Economic Development’s Permanent Secretary Claudius Emmanuel.
At the heart of the Annual Meetings are the Annual Meetings plenary session, the joint World Bank Group/IMF Development Committee, and the IMF International Monetary and Financial Committee, where progress on the work of the institutions is discussed. Special features of the meeting include a Joint Caribbean Governor’s meeting with World Bank President David Malpass, Caribbean Leaders Open Dialogue with staff, a Caribbean Caucus Meeting and a World Bank–IMF Joint Event on “Central Bank Digital Currencies in the Caribbean”. There is also expected to be a Small States Forum and a session with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde.
In the Prime Minister’s absence, Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment Lenard Montoute serves as Acting Prime Minister.