BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a528405a01f1 DTSTART:20250317T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20250317T160000Z LOCATION:Geneva\, Switzerland SUMMARY:International Debt Management Conference\, 14th session CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Many developing countries are sinking into a debt-driven develo pment crisis\, with their external debt hitting a record $11.4 trillion in 2023 – 99% of their export earnings.Public debt itself is not a problem . It can be an essential tool for financing sustainable development. But d ebt can become a problem when debt servicing costs increase more than a co untry’s capacity to pay. This is now the reality for two thirds of deve loping countries. Their public sector debt sustainability deteriorated bet ween 2017 and 2023 as interest payments outpaced government revenues.Casca ding global crises – COVID-19\, a worsening climate crisis\, a cost-of-l iving crisis and geopolitical tensions – have aggravated developing coun tries’ challenges and eroded their fiscal space. Over half of the 68 cou ntries eligible for the International Monetary Fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust now face debt distress – more than double the 2015 leve l.Yet this figure understates the scale of the crisis. Many other developi ng countries also face mounting difficulties. But most governments are rel uctant to default because existing debt workout mechanisms are inefficient and costly. Instead\, they prioritize their public debt commitments over development goals and climate actionAs a result\, countries may not be def aulting on their debt\, but they are defaulting on their development. Surg ing debt-service costs already crowd out vital investments. Today\, 3.3 bi llion people live in countries that spend more on debt payments than on he alth or education\, including three billion in middle-income countries.A c onference to drive debt solutionsHeld every two years\, the UN Trade and D evelopment (UNCTAD) International Debt Management Conference brings togeth er senior debt managers\, government officials and delegates\, academics\, and representatives of international organizations\, civil society and th e private sector.It provides a platform to discuss and share experiences o n critical developments and challenges in the debt landscape of developing countries\, and debt management issues in the broader global economic con text.The 14th session of the conference will explore the drivers and possi ble solutions to the current debt-driven development crisis\, as well as i nnovative debt management strategies\, focusing on building resilience\, m anaging risks and navigating the complexities of global crises.With the 4t h International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) fast approa ching\, the 14th UNCTAD Debt Management Conference will contribute to sett ing the tone for the financing for development agenda\, of which debt is a critical element.ProgrammePanel 1: Searching for solutions: Breaking out of the debt morass?In the context of massive financing gaps to achieve the SDGs and debt servicing costs draining resources available for developmen t there are several UN processes underway to address the debt and developm ent crisis. The UNSG recently appointed an Expert group to provide practic al solutions to break out of the development morass and galvanize support for action on debt.This Panel will provide insights from current internati onal initiatives working for solutions including\, the G20\, the Pact for the Future and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Develo pment.Panel 2: Liquidity vs Solvency: Debates around debt sustainability a nd developmentSince the Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the Common Framework of the COVID-19 period\, there has been much debate as to whethe r developing countries are experiencing liquidity or solvency problems\, a nd how the solutions can be best framed to ensure that development is not compromised by privileging costly debt servicing.This panel considers aspe cts of this debate and ongoing changes in diagnostics including debt susta inability analyses.Panel 3: Legal tools: Consensus building and rulemaking in a fragmented debt landscapeRule-making initiatives\, whether soft or h ard law\, are crucial to building consensus tackling unsustainable debt. S oft law instruments such as the UNCTAD Principles on Promoting Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing identify overarching rules in response to the problems in sovereign debt practices. While not legally binding\, the y are critical in fostering country consensus on guiding norms. Contractua l innovations and domestic legislation can assist where international norm s are absent.This panel will discuss legislative efforts\, contractual too ls\, and soft law.Panel 4: Governance\, accountability and transparency in a world of fiscal constraintsPublic debt accountability is vital during b oth prosperous and challenging times. Regular and transparent debt data di ssemination\, along with robust parliamentary oversight and comprehensive audits\, are essential components of good governance in debt management. A ccountability in the fiscal realm is key to ensure effective management of public finances as well as long term debt sustainability.This panel will explore how governments have adopted measures to strengthen public debt go vernance and accountability through transparent reporting\, parliamentary oversight\, comprehensive audits\, and well-designed fiscal rules.Panel 5: Debt-climate nexus: Innovative debt instruments to manage fiscal riskDeve loping countries with high debt and climate vulnerabilities face a vicious cycle where disaster recovery and climate-resilient structural transforma tion require investment\, leading to costly borrowing increase and deterio rated debt sustainability\, perpetuating underinvestment in climate action s. Novel financial instruments are needed to enhance flexibility and resil ience in public debt management amid shifting economic challenges.This pan el will delve into innovative debt instruments that can equip policymakers and practitioners to effectively navigate complex debt landscapes and bre ak out the debt-climate vicious cycle.Panel 6: Elevating debt transparency : Rethinking reporting and ensuring quality standardsIn today'\;s inte rconnected financial landscape\, the accuracy and reliability of debt data are essential for fostering trust and facilitating sound policymaking.Thi s session explores the significance of robust debt statistics and data qua lity\, highlighting best practices and international standards that drive transparency and ensure effective debt management. It explores the methodo logies for collecting\, compiling\, disseminating\, and interpreting debt statistics\, covering the evolving global requirements aimed at fostering transparency in debt reporting.Panel 7: Strategies for managing institutio nal challenges for a sustainable debt management officeA skilled and susta inable debt management office is essential to producing quality debt data and statistics. Addressing capacity- building needs and managing staff tur nover are key priorities to achieve this. The specialized and technical na ture of debt management results in the difficulties to recruit and retain staff. High staff turnover creates substantial disruptions\, compounded by factors such as unplanned reassignments\, low incentives\, and private se ctor competition for human resources.This panel explores strategies for ma naging institutional challenges for sustainable debt management offices.Pa nel 8: Making connections: Public debt and IFMIS challengesIntegrating pub lic debt management with other core components of public financial managem ent - such as treasury\, budgeting and accounting - enhances financial ove rsight\, reduces risk and supports better fiscal governance. But how does a government connect the distinctive features of a debt management system to other components of a public financial management system? What are the factors to consider? What are the challenges? And what is best practice?Th is panel will include country case studies as well as Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) experts.Panel 9: New requirements f or debt management systems: How are they measuring up?Debt trends and adva ncements in information technology are evolving rapidly\, adding new layer s of complexity to effective debt management. This growing complexity nece ssitates updated requirements for debt management systems.This panel explo res these emerging requirements and examines the current and planned suppo rt from the international community aimed at assisting governments to stre ngthen their debt management capacities in a sustainable way. It delves in to areas such as system enhancements\, capacity development\, and technica l assistance\, while also identifying additional measures needed to addres s future challenges effectively.Download programmeConference participation and registrationThe 14th Debt Management Conference will be held in perso n in Room XIX at the Palais des Nations in Geneva\, Switzerland. Registrat ion is required.Only eligible participants may attend in person. Others ca n follow the discussions online (audio only). Registered participants unab le to attend in person will receive a link to access the live audio stream in the six official UN languages one day before the session begins.Who ca n attend in person?In-person participation is open to:Government officials and delegates from UNCTAD member statesRepresentatives of other organizat ions\, including specialized agencies\, intergovernmental bodies and accre dited non-governmental organizations (general and special categories) as o bserversAcademics and private sector representatives as observersExperts w ith proven expertise in the subject matterRelated meeting: Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) Advisory GroupFollowing the Debt Ma nagement Conference\, the DMFAS Advisory Group will convene donors\, bene ficiaries and partners to examine the programme’s capacity-building acti vities and discuss future priorities and strategic direction.Who can parti cipate in the advisory group?Participation is limited to countries using U NCTAD’s debt management software. Register for the DMFAS meeting.https:/ /indico.un.org/event/1012735/\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://uncta d.org/meeting/international-debt-management-conference-14th-session DTSTAMP:20260711T175725Z END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a528405a023a DTSTART:20250318T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20250318T160000Z LOCATION:Geneva\, Switzerland SUMMARY:International Debt Management Conference\, 14th session CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Many developing countries are sinking into a debt-driven develo pment crisis\, with their external debt hitting a record $11.4 trillion in 2023 – 99% of their export earnings.Public debt itself is not a problem . It can be an essential tool for financing sustainable development. But d ebt can become a problem when debt servicing costs increase more than a co untry’s capacity to pay. This is now the reality for two thirds of deve loping countries. Their public sector debt sustainability deteriorated bet ween 2017 and 2023 as interest payments outpaced government revenues.Casca ding global crises – COVID-19\, a worsening climate crisis\, a cost-of-l iving crisis and geopolitical tensions – have aggravated developing coun tries’ challenges and eroded their fiscal space. Over half of the 68 cou ntries eligible for the International Monetary Fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust now face debt distress – more than double the 2015 leve l.Yet this figure understates the scale of the crisis. Many other developi ng countries also face mounting difficulties. But most governments are rel uctant to default because existing debt workout mechanisms are inefficient and costly. Instead\, they prioritize their public debt commitments over development goals and climate actionAs a result\, countries may not be def aulting on their debt\, but they are defaulting on their development. Surg ing debt-service costs already crowd out vital investments. Today\, 3.3 bi llion people live in countries that spend more on debt payments than on he alth or education\, including three billion in middle-income countries.A c onference to drive debt solutionsHeld every two years\, the UN Trade and D evelopment (UNCTAD) International Debt Management Conference brings togeth er senior debt managers\, government officials and delegates\, academics\, and representatives of international organizations\, civil society and th e private sector.It provides a platform to discuss and share experiences o n critical developments and challenges in the debt landscape of developing countries\, and debt management issues in the broader global economic con text.The 14th session of the conference will explore the drivers and possi ble solutions to the current debt-driven development crisis\, as well as i nnovative debt management strategies\, focusing on building resilience\, m anaging risks and navigating the complexities of global crises.With the 4t h International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) fast approa ching\, the 14th UNCTAD Debt Management Conference will contribute to sett ing the tone for the financing for development agenda\, of which debt is a critical element.ProgrammePanel 1: Searching for solutions: Breaking out of the debt morass?In the context of massive financing gaps to achieve the SDGs and debt servicing costs draining resources available for developmen t there are several UN processes underway to address the debt and developm ent crisis. The UNSG recently appointed an Expert group to provide practic al solutions to break out of the development morass and galvanize support for action on debt.This Panel will provide insights from current internati onal initiatives working for solutions including\, the G20\, the Pact for the Future and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Develo pment.Panel 2: Liquidity vs Solvency: Debates around debt sustainability a nd developmentSince the Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the Common Framework of the COVID-19 period\, there has been much debate as to whethe r developing countries are experiencing liquidity or solvency problems\, a nd how the solutions can be best framed to ensure that development is not compromised by privileging costly debt servicing.This panel considers aspe cts of this debate and ongoing changes in diagnostics including debt susta inability analyses.Panel 3: Legal tools: Consensus building and rulemaking in a fragmented debt landscapeRule-making initiatives\, whether soft or h ard law\, are crucial to building consensus tackling unsustainable debt. S oft law instruments such as the UNCTAD Principles on Promoting Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing identify overarching rules in response to the problems in sovereign debt practices. While not legally binding\, the y are critical in fostering country consensus on guiding norms. Contractua l innovations and domestic legislation can assist where international norm s are absent.This panel will discuss legislative efforts\, contractual too ls\, and soft law.Panel 4: Governance\, accountability and transparency in a world of fiscal constraintsPublic debt accountability is vital during b oth prosperous and challenging times. Regular and transparent debt data di ssemination\, along with robust parliamentary oversight and comprehensive audits\, are essential components of good governance in debt management. A ccountability in the fiscal realm is key to ensure effective management of public finances as well as long term debt sustainability.This panel will explore how governments have adopted measures to strengthen public debt go vernance and accountability through transparent reporting\, parliamentary oversight\, comprehensive audits\, and well-designed fiscal rules.Panel 5: Debt-climate nexus: Innovative debt instruments to manage fiscal riskDeve loping countries with high debt and climate vulnerabilities face a vicious cycle where disaster recovery and climate-resilient structural transforma tion require investment\, leading to costly borrowing increase and deterio rated debt sustainability\, perpetuating underinvestment in climate action s. Novel financial instruments are needed to enhance flexibility and resil ience in public debt management amid shifting economic challenges.This pan el will delve into innovative debt instruments that can equip policymakers and practitioners to effectively navigate complex debt landscapes and bre ak out the debt-climate vicious cycle.Panel 6: Elevating debt transparency : Rethinking reporting and ensuring quality standardsIn today'\;s inte rconnected financial landscape\, the accuracy and reliability of debt data are essential for fostering trust and facilitating sound policymaking.Thi s session explores the significance of robust debt statistics and data qua lity\, highlighting best practices and international standards that drive transparency and ensure effective debt management. It explores the methodo logies for collecting\, compiling\, disseminating\, and interpreting debt statistics\, covering the evolving global requirements aimed at fostering transparency in debt reporting.Panel 7: Strategies for managing institutio nal challenges for a sustainable debt management officeA skilled and susta inable debt management office is essential to producing quality debt data and statistics. Addressing capacity- building needs and managing staff tur nover are key priorities to achieve this. The specialized and technical na ture of debt management results in the difficulties to recruit and retain staff. High staff turnover creates substantial disruptions\, compounded by factors such as unplanned reassignments\, low incentives\, and private se ctor competition for human resources.This panel explores strategies for ma naging institutional challenges for sustainable debt management offices.Pa nel 8: Making connections: Public debt and IFMIS challengesIntegrating pub lic debt management with other core components of public financial managem ent - such as treasury\, budgeting and accounting - enhances financial ove rsight\, reduces risk and supports better fiscal governance. But how does a government connect the distinctive features of a debt management system to other components of a public financial management system? What are the factors to consider? What are the challenges? And what is best practice?Th is panel will include country case studies as well as Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) experts.Panel 9: New requirements f or debt management systems: How are they measuring up?Debt trends and adva ncements in information technology are evolving rapidly\, adding new layer s of complexity to effective debt management. This growing complexity nece ssitates updated requirements for debt management systems.This panel explo res these emerging requirements and examines the current and planned suppo rt from the international community aimed at assisting governments to stre ngthen their debt management capacities in a sustainable way. It delves in to areas such as system enhancements\, capacity development\, and technica l assistance\, while also identifying additional measures needed to addres s future challenges effectively.Download programmeConference participation and registrationThe 14th Debt Management Conference will be held in perso n in Room XIX at the Palais des Nations in Geneva\, Switzerland. Registrat ion is required.Only eligible participants may attend in person. Others ca n follow the discussions online (audio only). Registered participants unab le to attend in person will receive a link to access the live audio stream in the six official UN languages one day before the session begins.Who ca n attend in person?In-person participation is open to:Government officials and delegates from UNCTAD member statesRepresentatives of other organizat ions\, including specialized agencies\, intergovernmental bodies and accre dited non-governmental organizations (general and special categories) as o bserversAcademics and private sector representatives as observersExperts w ith proven expertise in the subject matterRelated meeting: Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) Advisory GroupFollowing the Debt Ma nagement Conference\, the DMFAS Advisory Group will convene donors\, bene ficiaries and partners to examine the programme’s capacity-building acti vities and discuss future priorities and strategic direction.Who can parti cipate in the advisory group?Participation is limited to countries using U NCTAD’s debt management software. Register for the DMFAS meeting.https:/ /indico.un.org/event/1012735/\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://uncta d.org/meeting/international-debt-management-conference-14th-session DTSTAMP:20260711T175725Z END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a528405a0241 DTSTART:20250319T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20250319T160000Z LOCATION:Geneva\, Switzerland SUMMARY:International Debt Management Conference\, 14th session CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Many developing countries are sinking into a debt-driven develo pment crisis\, with their external debt hitting a record $11.4 trillion in 2023 – 99% of their export earnings.Public debt itself is not a problem . It can be an essential tool for financing sustainable development. But d ebt can become a problem when debt servicing costs increase more than a co untry’s capacity to pay. This is now the reality for two thirds of deve loping countries. Their public sector debt sustainability deteriorated bet ween 2017 and 2023 as interest payments outpaced government revenues.Casca ding global crises – COVID-19\, a worsening climate crisis\, a cost-of-l iving crisis and geopolitical tensions – have aggravated developing coun tries’ challenges and eroded their fiscal space. Over half of the 68 cou ntries eligible for the International Monetary Fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust now face debt distress – more than double the 2015 leve l.Yet this figure understates the scale of the crisis. Many other developi ng countries also face mounting difficulties. But most governments are rel uctant to default because existing debt workout mechanisms are inefficient and costly. Instead\, they prioritize their public debt commitments over development goals and climate actionAs a result\, countries may not be def aulting on their debt\, but they are defaulting on their development. Surg ing debt-service costs already crowd out vital investments. Today\, 3.3 bi llion people live in countries that spend more on debt payments than on he alth or education\, including three billion in middle-income countries.A c onference to drive debt solutionsHeld every two years\, the UN Trade and D evelopment (UNCTAD) International Debt Management Conference brings togeth er senior debt managers\, government officials and delegates\, academics\, and representatives of international organizations\, civil society and th e private sector.It provides a platform to discuss and share experiences o n critical developments and challenges in the debt landscape of developing countries\, and debt management issues in the broader global economic con text.The 14th session of the conference will explore the drivers and possi ble solutions to the current debt-driven development crisis\, as well as i nnovative debt management strategies\, focusing on building resilience\, m anaging risks and navigating the complexities of global crises.With the 4t h International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) fast approa ching\, the 14th UNCTAD Debt Management Conference will contribute to sett ing the tone for the financing for development agenda\, of which debt is a critical element.ProgrammePanel 1: Searching for solutions: Breaking out of the debt morass?In the context of massive financing gaps to achieve the SDGs and debt servicing costs draining resources available for developmen t there are several UN processes underway to address the debt and developm ent crisis. The UNSG recently appointed an Expert group to provide practic al solutions to break out of the development morass and galvanize support for action on debt.This Panel will provide insights from current internati onal initiatives working for solutions including\, the G20\, the Pact for the Future and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Develo pment.Panel 2: Liquidity vs Solvency: Debates around debt sustainability a nd developmentSince the Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the Common Framework of the COVID-19 period\, there has been much debate as to whethe r developing countries are experiencing liquidity or solvency problems\, a nd how the solutions can be best framed to ensure that development is not compromised by privileging costly debt servicing.This panel considers aspe cts of this debate and ongoing changes in diagnostics including debt susta inability analyses.Panel 3: Legal tools: Consensus building and rulemaking in a fragmented debt landscapeRule-making initiatives\, whether soft or h ard law\, are crucial to building consensus tackling unsustainable debt. S oft law instruments such as the UNCTAD Principles on Promoting Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing identify overarching rules in response to the problems in sovereign debt practices. While not legally binding\, the y are critical in fostering country consensus on guiding norms. Contractua l innovations and domestic legislation can assist where international norm s are absent.This panel will discuss legislative efforts\, contractual too ls\, and soft law.Panel 4: Governance\, accountability and transparency in a world of fiscal constraintsPublic debt accountability is vital during b oth prosperous and challenging times. Regular and transparent debt data di ssemination\, along with robust parliamentary oversight and comprehensive audits\, are essential components of good governance in debt management. A ccountability in the fiscal realm is key to ensure effective management of public finances as well as long term debt sustainability.This panel will explore how governments have adopted measures to strengthen public debt go vernance and accountability through transparent reporting\, parliamentary oversight\, comprehensive audits\, and well-designed fiscal rules.Panel 5: Debt-climate nexus: Innovative debt instruments to manage fiscal riskDeve loping countries with high debt and climate vulnerabilities face a vicious cycle where disaster recovery and climate-resilient structural transforma tion require investment\, leading to costly borrowing increase and deterio rated debt sustainability\, perpetuating underinvestment in climate action s. Novel financial instruments are needed to enhance flexibility and resil ience in public debt management amid shifting economic challenges.This pan el will delve into innovative debt instruments that can equip policymakers and practitioners to effectively navigate complex debt landscapes and bre ak out the debt-climate vicious cycle.Panel 6: Elevating debt transparency : Rethinking reporting and ensuring quality standardsIn today'\;s inte rconnected financial landscape\, the accuracy and reliability of debt data are essential for fostering trust and facilitating sound policymaking.Thi s session explores the significance of robust debt statistics and data qua lity\, highlighting best practices and international standards that drive transparency and ensure effective debt management. It explores the methodo logies for collecting\, compiling\, disseminating\, and interpreting debt statistics\, covering the evolving global requirements aimed at fostering transparency in debt reporting.Panel 7: Strategies for managing institutio nal challenges for a sustainable debt management officeA skilled and susta inable debt management office is essential to producing quality debt data and statistics. Addressing capacity- building needs and managing staff tur nover are key priorities to achieve this. The specialized and technical na ture of debt management results in the difficulties to recruit and retain staff. High staff turnover creates substantial disruptions\, compounded by factors such as unplanned reassignments\, low incentives\, and private se ctor competition for human resources.This panel explores strategies for ma naging institutional challenges for sustainable debt management offices.Pa nel 8: Making connections: Public debt and IFMIS challengesIntegrating pub lic debt management with other core components of public financial managem ent - such as treasury\, budgeting and accounting - enhances financial ove rsight\, reduces risk and supports better fiscal governance. But how does a government connect the distinctive features of a debt management system to other components of a public financial management system? What are the factors to consider? What are the challenges? And what is best practice?Th is panel will include country case studies as well as Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) experts.Panel 9: New requirements f or debt management systems: How are they measuring up?Debt trends and adva ncements in information technology are evolving rapidly\, adding new layer s of complexity to effective debt management. This growing complexity nece ssitates updated requirements for debt management systems.This panel explo res these emerging requirements and examines the current and planned suppo rt from the international community aimed at assisting governments to stre ngthen their debt management capacities in a sustainable way. It delves in to areas such as system enhancements\, capacity development\, and technica l assistance\, while also identifying additional measures needed to addres s future challenges effectively.Download programmeConference participation and registrationThe 14th Debt Management Conference will be held in perso n in Room XIX at the Palais des Nations in Geneva\, Switzerland. Registrat ion is required.Only eligible participants may attend in person. Others ca n follow the discussions online (audio only). Registered participants unab le to attend in person will receive a link to access the live audio stream in the six official UN languages one day before the session begins.Who ca n attend in person?In-person participation is open to:Government officials and delegates from UNCTAD member statesRepresentatives of other organizat ions\, including specialized agencies\, intergovernmental bodies and accre dited non-governmental organizations (general and special categories) as o bserversAcademics and private sector representatives as observersExperts w ith proven expertise in the subject matterRelated meeting: Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) Advisory GroupFollowing the Debt Ma nagement Conference\, the DMFAS Advisory Group will convene donors\, bene ficiaries and partners to examine the programme’s capacity-building acti vities and discuss future priorities and strategic direction.Who can parti cipate in the advisory group?Participation is limited to countries using U NCTAD’s debt management software. Register for the DMFAS meeting.https:/ /indico.un.org/event/1012735/\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://uncta d.org/meeting/international-debt-management-conference-14th-session DTSTAMP:20260711T175725Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR