Coronavirus imf world bank confirm virtual format for spring meetings
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have confirmed that their Spring Meetings, which were originally scheduled to take place in Washington D.C. in April, will now be held in a virtual format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Spring Meetings are a key event in the global economic calendar, bringing together finance ministers, central bank governors, and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss pressing economic issues and set the agenda for the year ahead.
In a statement, the IMF and World Bank said that the decision to hold the meetings virtually was taken "in light of the ongoing pandemic and the need to prioritize the health and safety of our staff, delegates, and the broader public."
The virtual format will allow participants to engage in discussions, presentations, and meetings remotely, using digital platforms and tools. The events will be streamed live and made available on-demand for those who cannot participate in real-time.
The IMF and World Bank have also announced that they will be hosting a series of virtual events and webinars in the lead-up to the Spring Meetings, focusing on topics such as the global economic outlook, COVID-19 response, and sustainable development.
The Spring Meetings are typically attended by over 10,000 participants from around the world, and the decision to hold them virtually is a significant shift in response to the pandemic. The IMF and World Bank have been working closely with governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19 and support a global recovery.
The virtual Spring Meetings are scheduled to take place from April 12-16, 2021.