XVII Virtual Regional Conference on Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) co-hosted the XVII Regional Conference for Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic with the Central Bank of Nicaragua and in collaboration with authorities from all member countries in the region, the Central American Monetary Council (CMCA), the Council of Finance Ministers from Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic (COSEFIN), and the Central American Council of Superintendents of Banks, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions (CCSBSO). The conference took place on November 17-18 in virtual format.

The conference gathered Central Bank Governors, Ministers, and Bank Superintendents from CAPDR to discuss economic prospects and policy challenges for the region together with officials from the IMF, the Bank for International Settlements, the Inter-American Development Bank, United Nations, the World Bank, and other international organizations, and representatives from academia and think tanks.

Recognizing the complex juncture for the global economy, the conference participants underlined the importance of strengthening the resilience of the CAPDR economies, maintaining prudent macroeconomic policies and advancing their growth agenda. The conference discussions highlighted the macro-criticality of climate change for the CAPDR region and explored options for mitigating its impact. They also underlined the important opportunities offered by digital money, particularly for remittance transfers, while highlighting the need to minimize the associated risks.

 

Agenda

First Day
(Thursday, November 17, 2022)
3:00-3:30 PM Inauguration
Opening remarks:
  • Mr. Nigel Chalk, Acting Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
  • Mr. Ovidio Reyes, Governor, Central Bank of Nicaragua
3:30 PM-4:30 PM Session I. Global and Regional Outlook
Moderator: Mr. Metodij Hadzi-Vaskov, Regional Resident Representative for Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, IMF

Presentation on global and LATAM outlook: Mr. Nigel Chalk, Acting Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Presentation on CAPDR outlook: Ms. Manuela Goretti, Central America Division Chief, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Panelist/discussant: Mr. Michel Kerf (Director for Central America, World Bank)

Questions and Discussion

4:30-4:35 PM Participants’ Virtual Picture

Second and last day
(Friday, November 18, 2022)

9:30-9:40 AM Opening remarks:
  • Ms. Patricia Alonso-Gamo, Deputy Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
9:40-10:40 AM

Session II. Macro-Fiscal Implications of Climate Change

Moderator: Mr. Emilio Corugedo Fernández, Deputy Division Chief, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Brief presentation/video on analytical work by IMF staff

Panelists:

  • Ms. Andrea Meza (Deputy Executive Secretary, UNCCD; former Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica)
  • Mr. Raúl Delgado (Climate Change Lead Specialist, IADB)
  • Mr. Diego Mesa Puyo (Senior Economist, FAD, IMF; former Minister of Energy and Mining of Colombia)
Questions and discussion
10:40-11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Session III. FinTech, Digital Money and Remittances

Moderator: Ms. Alina Carare, Deputy Division Chief, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF

Brief presentation/video on analytical work by IMF staff

Panelists:

  • Ms. Shira Frank (Strategic Advisor at MIT Digital Currency Initiative and Director at Maiden Labs)
  • Mr. Jon Frost (Head of Economics for the Americas, BIS)
  • Mr. Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli (Division Chief, MCM, IMF)
Questions and Discussion
12:00-12:15 pm Closing Remarks:
  • Mr. Nigel Chalk, Acting Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
  • Mr. Ovidio Reyes, President, Central American Monetary Council