IMF-World Bank spring meetings: Ministers to focus on sustaining global recovery

• Pages: 97-98

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Under the chairmanship of U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)- whose 24 governors represent constituencies or groups of countries corresponding to the IMF's Executive Board-is expected to stress the opportunities that a growing global economy can present. In this context, the IMFC is likely to examine the concerted and collaborative steps that can be taken to give solid momentum to the recovery, manage risks more effectively, and bolster country resilience.

More specifically, IMFC discussions are expected to follow up on issues raised during the 2003 annual meetings in Dubai and to set out an agenda for the lead-up to the 2004 fall meetings in Washington, D.C. Among the topics likely to be reviewed are improvements in the tools used to assess policy and conduct IMF surveillance, progress in identifying vulnerabilities early, and measures that could be taken to better define the IMF's role in low-income countries, including a proposed debt sustainability framework. In addition, there will be progress reports on efforts to combat money laundering and the financing Page 98 of terrorism; initiatives on crisis resolution; developments on IMF quotas, voice, and representation; and the activities of the Independent Evaluation Office. A press conference by Acting Managing Director Anne Krueger and IMFC Chair Gordon Brown will conclude the IMFC proceedings.

The IMFC meeting will be followed on April 25 by a session of the Development Committee-a joint committee of...