Minister Sajjan concludes participation in productive International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

April 25, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The global community is dealing with multiple crises at once: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, drastic changes in climate and more and more extreme weather events, increasing conflict and violence, and financial pressures—including global food prices that have increased 30% since January.

On top of this, Putin’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine is causing loss of life and destruction, with spillover effects of high food and energy prices, a refugee crisis and political instability. Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The vulnerable, particularly the Global South, are most affected by the convergence of these crises. Health care systems are overburdened. Homes and livelihoods are being destroyed. Extreme poverty and hunger are surging. Violence and conflict are increasing worldwide.

To address these challenges, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, participated in the 2022 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (World Bank). During these meetings, the Minister advanced Canada’s priorities within the frame of the Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Minister Sajjan’s engagement included hosting, alongside Senegal and the World Bank, the Global Financing Facility (GFF) resource mobilization event, bringing together developing countries, donors, foundations and civil society in support of the health of women, children and adolescents. At this event, Minister Sajjan announced that Canada is providing an additional $40 million in funding in support of the GFF’s “Reclaim the Gains” campaign.

The Minister also chaired a round table with Caribbean ministers and leaders from the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility, the Climate Investment Funds and the Adaptation Fund to discuss climate risks facing Small Island Developing States and to consider bold solutions to address the devastating impacts of climate change.

Minister Sajjan joined a panel at the Accelerating Action for Food Security and Resilience side event, convened by the World Bank and Germany during its G7 presidency. This discussion focused on mounting food insecurity, pressures on the global humanitarian system and the need to build long-term resilience of food systems.

The Minister also spoke at an event organized by the Climate Investment Funds and Foreign Policy magazine. The panel exchanged ideas on how private capital can be mobilized to spur climate action and a just transition in developing countries in a context of geopolitical uncertainty.

Finally, Minister Sajjan held bilateral talks with donor counterparts, developing country partners, World Bank management and other key interlocutors, helping Canada deliver on its development assistance agenda.