The key role of Public Development Banks in transitions

Our world is changing. It is riven by economic, social, historical and environmental fractures. The coronavirus crisis is increasing our vulnerabilities and jeopardising efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This is becoming a time of transition, which prompts us to redouble our strength and optimism to build a response that will immediately help those most in need - particularly in Africa - while shifting the focus towards a less unequal world, aware of the devastating hazards of climate or the loss of biodiversity.

This path is one of development that reconciles the well-being of people with the capacities of our planet. A group of little-known financial actors, the Public Development Banks, have a vocation to invest in this, to invent it if necessary. There are more than 500 of them and they deploy 10% of the world's investment.

This conference, organised on the occasion of the publication of a special issue of the "Review of Political Economy", will bring together the journal's scientific editor with the most advanced researchers on the subject. They will share their most recent research findings in an interactive format that is accessible to all. They will show how, beyond their own financing, public development banks can play a catalytic role in helping to redirect the world's $20 trillion in investments towards sustainable development.

You can join the event at AFD headquarters or online.