Spring Meetings

OVERVIEW

The Bretton Woods Committee │ Spring Summit 2024

Celebrating 80 Years of Bretton Woods: What’s Next?

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the Bretton Woods institutions and provides an apt time to take stock of the international financial architecture. Born in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Bretton Woods institutions have shepherded a period of historic global growth, financial stability, and poverty reduction. At the same time, they have consistently re-oriented themselves over the decades to tackle novel and emerging challenges when required.

During this 80th anniversary year, it is once again an inflection point for the Bretton Woods institutions to consider how to best evolve to confront current challenges – the climate crisis, widespread debt distress, conflict and fragility, among others cross-border challenges – all against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions and receding multilateralism. Both the IMF and World Bank have made strides in tackling these crises, but their enormity and urgency requires continued institutional evolution and an assessment of their roles, mandates, operating models and governance structures to effectively address new challenges while staying true to their founding missions.

This year’s conference will bring together policymakers, private sector, and multilateral leaders to chart a path for continued evolution to ensure the IMF and World Bank remain as effective in the new era as they have proven over the last 80 years. Speakers will discuss a range of topics including reforming the sovereign debt architecture, confronting climate change and the energy transition, and assessing the multilateral system.

AGENDA

3:30 – 4:00 PM ET  On-Site Registration & Coffee

4:00 – 4:02 PM ET  Welcome Note with BWC Executive Director Emily Slater

4:02 – 4:30 PM ET  In Conversation with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund

John Lipsky, Vice Chair, Bretton Woods Committee (Moderator)

4:30 – 5:00 PM ET  In Conversation with World Bank President Ajay Banga

Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group

William R. Rhodes, Vice Chair, Bretton Woods Committee (Moderator)

5:00 – 5:30 PM ET  In Conversation with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization

William C. Dudley, Chair, Bretton Woods Committee (Moderator)

5:30 – 6:00 PM ET  In Conversation with Under Secretary for International Affairs Jay Shambaugh

Jay Shambaugh, Under Secretary for International Affairs, United States Department of the Treasury

William C. Dudley, Chair, Bretton Woods Committee (Moderator)

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM ET  Evolving the World Bank and IMF for Global Challenges

PANEL

Afsaneh Beschloss, Founder and CEO, RockCreek

John Lipsky, Vice Chair, Bretton Woods Committee; former FDMD, IMF

Joaquim Levy, Director for Economic Strategy and Market Relations, Banco Safra S.A.

Emily Slater, Executive Director, Bretton Woods Committee (Moderator)

6:30 – 7:30 PM ET  Reception