Using a multidimensional vulnerability index for the allocation of development finance

  • Date(s)April 21, 2025
  • LocationWashington DC
  • Organiser(s)UN-OHRLLS, UN-DESA, FERDI, AfriCatalyst, Open Society Foundations (OSF) the Paris Pact for People and Planet (4P), les directeurs exécutifs pour le groupe Afrique I, pour le groupe Afrique II, et pour la France au sein du groupe de la Banque mondiale

April 21, 2025, Washington DC

Rountable discussion on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund.

📅 21 April 2025, 9:30AM – 11:30AM Eastern Time  

📍Open Society Foundations, 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 7th Floor
 Washington, DC 20006, United States

Organised by UN-OHRLLS and UN-DESA
in collaboration with FERDI,  AfriCatalyst, the Open Society Foundations (OSF), the Paris Pact for People and Planet (4P), the Executive Director for Africa Group I, the Executive Director for Africa Group II, and the Executive Director for France at the World Bank Group. 

Objective of the roundtable

The objective of the meeting is to explore the rationale and feasibility of, as well as possible obstacles to, the use of an index of multidimensional and structural vulnerability for allocation of and access to concessional resources. The discussion will also consider how such an index can complement other existing variables used to measure country development financing needs and its’ allocation.

Expected Outcomes 

  • Improved understanding of how an index that measures multidimensional structural vulnerability can serve as a tool to enhance existing methodologies for determining financing needs and allocation.
  • Identification of possible ways and conditions according to which such an index can be integrated into existing practices of IFIs and MDBs and a better understanding of the barriers to the implementation of such an index.
  • Examination of the possibility to explore more deeply the consequences of this integration on country allocations, in cooperation with the MDBs.

Highlights from the session

Programme

Registration and coffee
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Opening
9:30 - 9:50 AM

Welcome remarks

Mr. Desire Assogbavi, Advocacy Advisor Open Society Foundations (OSF) 

Opening remarks 

Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello, Chief OHRLLS

Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Acting Chair of the Paris Pact for People and the Planet 4P and, French former Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships (by video)

Prof. Patrick Guillaumont, President FERDI

Mr. Daouda Sembene, Founder and CEO AfriCatalyst

Keynote address

H.E. Mr. Olavo Correia, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Business Development, Cabo Verde

Presentation of two reports
9:50 AM - 10:10 AM

Dr. Louise Fox, UN Consultant and former Member of the UN-High-Level Panel on the MVI

How MDBs currently consider vulnerability in assessing the financing needs of developing countries

Prof. Patrick Guillaumont, President FERDI 

Why and how they can use a vulnerability index in their allocation rules, what are the obstacles to do so, how those could be overcome. 

Interventions from MDBs, IFIs
10:10 AM -10:40 AM

Mr. Ed Mountfield, Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS, World Bank

Comments by Executive Directors at the World Bank Group 

Mr. Zarau Kibwe,  Executive Director for Group Africa  I

Mr. Harold Tavares,  Executive Director for  Group Africa II

Mr. Arnaud Buissé, Executive Director for France 

Stakeholder interactive discussions
10:40 AM - 11:15 AM
Closing remarks
11:15 AM - 11:20 AM

Mr. Zarau Kibwe,  Executive Director for Group Africa I at the WBG

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