Event venue
Hannoversche Straße 5B
10115 Berlin-Mitte
Germany
While the current energy crisis again demonstrates the importance of phasing out fossil fuels, the climate agenda at the World Bank is under pressure despite massive financing needs. Coupled with recent developments regarding the Bank’s independent accountability mechanisms, this leads to questions around strategies for progressive reforms that safeguard high-quality development support. What role can Germany and Europe play in preventing a rollback of environmental and social standards? What new alliances can be formed to strengthen the World Bank’s role in delivering its development mandate, including the just energy transition and climate finance?
The symposium will bring together World Bank management, shareholder representatives, members of the German parliament and civil society representatives to discuss upcoming windows of opportunity such as the 2026 Annual Meetings, the review of IFC Performance Standards and the upcoming IDA replenishment.
The event will be held in English and German, with interpretation available. Chatham House rules apply. As there is a limited number of seats available, we kindly ask that you only register if you are able to attend on site. Please register by 10 September using the link below.
In case of questions, please reach out to emma.beelen@urgewald.org and anja.gebel@germanwatch.org.
Preliminary Agenda
9:00 – 9:30 | Registration and Welcome Coffee |
9:30 – 9:40 | Opening Remarks by Ute Sudmann and Dustin Schäfer |
9:40 – 10:00 | Keynote Speech: Maintaining the Development Mandate of the World Bank – Current Geopolitical Challenges and Windows of Opportunity Mac Darrow, Chief Advisor on Development Finance Institutions at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) |
10:00 – 10:20 | Keynote Speech Representative of the World Bank Group Management |
10:20 – 10:45 | Coffee Break |
10:45 – 12:00 11:45 - 12:00 Q&A | High-Level Panel: The Future of Climate at the World Bank in a Fractured World Opening Statement by Jürgen Zattler, German Institute for Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Former Executive Director for Germany at the World Bank Group Lisa Badum, Member of Parliament, Spokesperson for Climate Policy, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen Representative of the World Bank Group Management – tbc Representative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – tbc Melanie Ullrich, E3G |
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch |
13:00 – 14:15 | Input and Discussion: The Independent Accountability Mechanisms and their Significance for Effective Governance, Oversight and Development Effectiveness Ibrahim Pam, Chairperson of the Inspection Panel and Acting Director General, Compliance Advisor Ombudsman Arntraud Hartmann, Senior Adjunct Professor (Johns Hopkins University), Former World Bank Country Director Dr. Dustin Schäfer, Team Lead at Urgewald Representative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – tbc |
14:15 – 14:30 | Coffee Break |
14:30 – 15:45 | Input and Discussion: Intertwined Potentials and Challenges – The Review of IFC’s Sustainability Policy and Environmental and Social Performance Standards as Foundation for Effective Development Kate Geary, Strategy Director at Recourse Representative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – tbc Abhishek Singh, E&S Specialist, World Bank Group/IFC Representative of EBRD – tbc Moderation: Mac Darrow, Chief Advisor on Development Finance Institutions at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) |
15:45 – 16:15 | Coffee Break |
16:15 – 17:45 | Open Roundtable and Discussion with European Shareholders, Parliamentarians and CSOs: Building Alliances and Identifying Windows of Opportunity for World Bank Reform Processes Representatives of World Bank Group Governors (shareholding countries) Members of German Parliament |
17:45 – 18:00 | Closing Remarks by Ute Sudmann and Dustin Schäfer |
