2016 Spring Meetings
Joining Forces to Advance Development
The challenges of development in the coming years will be immense. The continued slowdown in key emerging economies and the political instability in some parts of the world add complexity as we work toward the goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity.
This means the public and private sectors will need to work much more closely than ever before. Private enterprises spark innovation, improve a country’s productivity and economic efficiency, and create growth as well as most of the jobs. They are also an important source of financing.
To discuss topics that are relevant to the development agenda, thousands of government officials, civil society organizations, and participants from academia and the private sector gathered in Washington, D.C. last week for the 2016 Spring Meetings. The role of the private sector was an important part of the discussion in several events, including:
Opportunity Africa: Reducing Risk and Mobilizing Financing on a New Scale
Africa remains a region with enormous potential for private investors despite economic headwinds and reduced liquidity. Methods of financing that better mitigate risk can be more widely adopted to fund successful investments on a larger scale. This session, on April 14, explored how financial institutions and capital markets can support the private sector to drive forward Africa’s next decade of development.
» Learn more about Mobilizing Financing in Africa
» See what IFC is doing in sub-Saharan Africa
Private Sector Solutions in Challenging Markets
Of the more than 2.5 billion people living in the world’s poorest countries, nearly a quarter live in areas marked by conflict or other significant upheaval. Panelists from the private and public sectors discussed on April 15 how to spur investment in order to create jobs, generate revenue, and finance essential services.
» Trailblazing: Private Sector Solutions in Challenging Markets
» Learn more about Sparking Opportunity in Challenging Areas
Global Infrastructure Forum
Bridging the infrastructure gap is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Global Infrastructure Forum, which gathered for the first time on April 16, is expected to allow for a greater range of voices as we bridge infrastructure and capacity gaps, particularly in challenging environments. Mandated by the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the forum should also highlight opportunities for investment and cooperation that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
» Spending More and Better: Essential to Tackling the Infrastructure Gap
» Learn more about IFC’s work in Infrastructure, Public-Private Partnerships and Thought Leadership
