Defusing the Debt Time Bomb: The Role of an Effective Crisis Prevention and Resolution Architecture

 

Session Description

Sixty countries struggle with high debt burdens and payments at the expense of health, social, climate and other priorities, with few of them having made use of available debt restructuring mechanisms. What needs to change in the debt architecture to encourage and deliver early, prompt and sufficient debt reductions?

Organisers

Jubilee USA Network, AFRODAD, ANND, AWC, APMDD, Caritas Africa, Debt Justice Norway, DRGR, Erlassjahr.de (Jubilee Germany), Eurodad, Global Policy Forum, Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa – JENA, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung-NY

Speakers

• Moderator: Eric LeCompte, Executive Director, Jubilee USA Network
• Panelist 1: Matthew Martin, Director, Development Finance International
• Panelist 2: Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator, Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development
• Panelist 3: Guillaume Chabert, Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy, and Review, IMF
• Discussant 1: Yuefen Li, Co-Chair, Debt Relief for Green and Inclusive Recovery Initiative
• Discussant 2: Bodo Ellmers, Director of Financing for Sustainable Development Program, Global Policy Forum
• Discussant 3: Salwa Trabelsi, Professor, ESSECT, University of Tunis

 

Financing a Just Transition for Africa: Strategies for Adequate, Affordable, and Sustainable Climate Finance

Session Description

Africa is battling multiple crises, including climate change, debt, economic decline, conflicts, disease, and poverty. Yet the development financing gap, especially with respect to climate financing (US$1.3 trillion), is growing. Addressing this requires an adequate, affordable, and flexible quantum that centers the needs of Africans, as well as reformation of the global financial architecture.

Organisers

Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA), African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD)

Speakers

• Moderator: Olabukunola Williams, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Lead, Akina Mama wa Afrika
• Panelist 1: Adrian Chikowore, Policy Analyst and Advocacy Officer for International Public and Private Finance, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development
• Panelist 2: Sonia Phalatse, Economic Justice and Rights Lead, The African Women’s Development and Communications Network
• Panelist 3: Faith Lumonya, Economic Justice and Climate Action Lead, Akina Mama wa Afrika

 

Unpacking the Bridgetown Initiative: An Insightful and Dynamic Afro-centric Evaluation and Perspective

Session Description

The Bridgetown Initiative seeks backing for climate shock solutions and equitable finance reform. Crucial for vulnerable nations, it’s questioned from an African perspective due to limited scope, reliance on private funding, and deviation from established frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and 2030 Agenda. This session will review, suggest options, and advocate for inclusive strategies for Africa’s green recovery.

Organisers

The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa, Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI), Bretton Woods Project, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD)

Speakers

• Moderator: Jason Braganza, Executive Director, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development
• Panelist 1: Dr. Kennedy Mbeva, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Oxford
• Panelist 2: Jane S Nalunga, Executive Director, Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute
• Panelist 3: Fr. Charles Chilufya, Executive Director, The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa
• Panelist 4: World Bank representative (TBC)

 

The Implications of Private Finance De-risking for Economic Development in the Global South

Session description

This session will explore how the World Bank’s Cascade framework and GRID approach, which focus on private development finance, impact nations in the Global South. It will raise concerns about blended finance and de-risking endorsed by the World Bank, and outline their risks for these countries. The session will also suggest ways to enhance development outcomes and reduce economic vulnerability for these states.

Organisers

Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI), Bretton Woods Project, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD)

Speakers

• Moderator: Robert Bain, Financialization and Human Rights Lead, Bretton Woods Project
• Panelist 1: Kate Bayliss, Research Associate, Department of Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies
• Panelist 2: Jane S. Nalunga, Executive Director, Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute
• Panelist 3: Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Uganda
• Panelist 4: Yungong Theophilus, Advocacy, Policy, and Research Manager, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development