Statement by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank Group President David Malpass on the 2020 IMF-World Bank Group Spring Meetings

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Out of precaution World Bank Group events up to May have either been postponed or image2865094cancelled. We are still unclear on how the World Bank Group will proceed with events after May. In this blog post we selected the largest event messaging concerning COVID-19, The events include: 2020 IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings, Fragility Forum 2020, and the Land and Poverty conference.

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WASHINGTON, March 3, 2020— Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Mr. David Malpass, President of the World Bank Group, today issued the following statement:

“Like everyone else around the world, we have been deeply concerned by the evolving situation of the Coronavirus and the human tragedy surrounding it. Given growing health concerns related to the virus, the Management of the IMF and World Bank Group and their Executive Boards have agreed to implement a joint plan to adapt the 2020 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings to a virtual format. Our goal is to serve our membership effectively while ensuring the health and safety of Spring Meetings participants and staff.

“We remain fully committed to maintaining a productive dialogue with our stakeholders and will leverage our IT-related and virtual connection capabilities to the fullest to hold our essential policy consultations with the membership. We will also continue to share IMF and World Bank analyses. With this adapted format, we are confident that our member countries will be able to effectively engage on pressing global economic issues at these Spring Meetings.”

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Dear Fragility Forum participants,

It is with regret that I am writing to let you know that out of an abundance of caution – and given recent developments relating to the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on people and health — the World Bank Group has decided to postpone the Fragility Forum due to take place in Washington, D.C. March 2-4, 2020. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this is likely to cause you.

Addressing fragility, conflict and violence is and will continue to be critical to our mission of ending extreme poverty.

We look forward to seeing you at the earliest opportunity and to our continued work together. We will be in touch once we confirm the new date but please rest assured, the work continues.

In partnership,

Franck Bousquet
Senior Director
Fragility, Conflict, & Violence Group
The World Bank

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The annual Land and Poverty Conference “Institution for Equity and Resilience” postponed to March 22–26, 2021. 

IMPORTANT STATEMENT

The global situation with the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been developing rapidly over the last days with numerous new cases raising significant concerns at a global level. To ensure the health and safety of all of us and those around us, Bank senior management has decided to cancel all major events and conferences until further notice.

It will thus not be possible for the 2020 Land and Poverty conference to be held as planned. The next Conference on Land and Poverty is tentatively scheduled to take place in Washington DC from March 22–26, 2021. 

We regret this unfurtunate turn of events, but appreciate your understanding and your continued support for our event.

With Best Regards

The Conference Team