External shocks, uncertain times among foci of conference on developing-country debt
The debt situations of the world’s poorer countries, long vulnerable to buffets from the global economy, have had their share of shocks recently, beginning with the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. A number of developing countries now are struggling with high levels of debt and are facing uncertain prospects rooted in the slow economic recovery of advanced nations, volatile capital flows and commodity prices, and expected rises in interest rates.
How such nations can cope with external shocks, maintain financial stability, and meet debt obligations – along with instruments and mechanisms for managing and restructuring debt -- will be among the topics discussed at UNCTAD’s 9th International Debt Management Conference, which opens Monday. The conferences are staged every two years.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi will give an introductory address, and Government Ministers will be among those attending the three-day session and participating in panel discussions on such issues as debt crisis prevention; effective debt strategies in the current macroeconomic environment; and transparency in debt management.
Among the expected panelists are Win Shei, Minister of Finance of Myanmar (11 November afternoon session), and Aggrey Sabuni Tisa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of South Sudan (12 November morning session).
On our website, you can download a programme of the conference and a provisional list of participants.
For further information or to request or schedule interviews with UNCTAD experts, please do not hesitate to contact the UNCTAD Press Office (+41 22 917 5828/5166 unctadpress@unctad.org) Alan Sternberg.
