Statement by H.E. Lütfi Elvan - 103rd Meeting of the Development Committee - Statement on COVID-19 and WBG support

Jul 19, 2026

Statement by H.E. Lütfi Elvan, Minister of Finance of Turkey, delivered on behalf of multiple countries at the 103rd Development Committee meeting on April 9, 2021 (virtual), Washington, DC. The statement commends the World Bank Group’s rapid COVID-19 operational adjustment, business continuity, and support programs, including vaccine access initiatives. It highlights pandemic-driven economic disruption, threats to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, and calls for integrated, adaptive reforms—strengthening health systems, social protection, migration and refugee support, water and sanitation, and food and nutrition security.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

Statement details

Context and commendations

WBG COVID-19 support programs

Impacts on economies and SDGs

Calls for integrated recovery and reforms

Vaccine access and financing

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors ofthe Bank and the Fund on the Transfer of Real Resources to Developing Countries) ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD MEETING WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 9, 2021 (VIRTUAL) DC/S/2021-0034 April 9, 2021 Statement by H.E. Lütfi Elvan Minister of Finance Turkey On behalf of Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey Statement by H.E. Lütfi Elvan Minister of Finance Turkey On behalf of Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey 103rd Meeting of the Development Committee April 9, 2021 Washington, DC (VIRTUAL) It has been already more than a year since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global economy has experienced the most turbulent year in decades, and uncertainty and unpredictability has become the new normal. Regardless of the income levels of the countries, COVID-19 brought disruptions not only to health systems but in all aspects of our everyday lives. In this regard, we would like to commend Management for a successful adjustment of the work arrangements to a digital workplace and ensuring business continuity. We would like to acknowledge the hard work, tremendous efforts, and dedication of staff to deliver on the daily operational agenda under these unprecedented and challenging circumstances. In particular, we are very grateful for the Bank’s field office staff from all around the world for their efforts in implementing significant reforms and projects, in line with the WBG’s twin goals. We also appreciate collaboration with the key stakeholders in pursuing the sustainable development agenda. We appreciate the WBG for its robust support and prompt COVID-19 response over the last year, includingthe launch of the IBRD/IDA/IFC Fast Track Facility, the Global COVID-19 Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA), IFC’s Global Health Platform and MIGA’s COVID-19 Response Program. The WBG was the first Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) to launch such a timely and broad-based response. We commend Management for the agility in the WBG’s operational approach reflecting the uncertainties of a rapidly changing environment and countries’ needs. By developing this unique set of programs, , and acting quickly and decisively, the WBG proved its leading role in the field of development cooperation and demonstrated its continuous support to its client countries to mitigate the impacts ofthe pandemic as well as strengthen their health care systems, preparedness and long-term resilience. We particularly appreciate the joint effort of all institutions to coordinate their activities in the spirit of “One WBG”. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted economic activity, increased unemployment, worsened inequality, stretched governments’ budgets, discounted public and private investments, and raised poverty and hunger in many countries. As a consequence, it is evident that the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is under threat. Nevertheless, we believe that the WBG COVID-19 response to support its client countries does contribute to achieving SDGs; therefore, there is a need to make a clear link and integrate these goals towards sustainable recovery at the national, regional and global levels. In this regard, we would like to commend Management for the timely program adjustments with the aim to support the short-term crisis needs while keeping the longer-term development goals in mind. We would also like to emphasize the importance of staying on track to support the Twin goals agenda of reducing extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Despite the damage caused by the pandemic, the exceptional crisis response offers unique opportunities for accelerating reforms and transformation in many areas. We there

FAQs

What is the purpose of the statement by H.E. Lütfi Elvan at the Development Committee meeting?

It presents a formal statement assessing the COVID-19 impacts and recognizing World Bank Group support while calling for further integrated actions toward sustainable recovery and SDG progress.

Which World Bank Group COVID-19 support initiatives are highlighted?

The statement commends the launch of the IBRD/IDA/IFC Fast Track Facility, the Global COVID-19 Multiphase Programmatic Approach, IFC’s Global Health Platform, and MIGA’s COVID-19 Response Program, as well as additional financing supporting vaccine access.

What actions does the statement urge for the medium and longer term?

It calls for updating policy-reform programs, prioritizing adaptive social protection, addressing economic migration drivers, supporting refugees and host communities, improving access to water and sanitation, and strengthening food and nutrition security through programmatic approaches.

Jul 19, 2026

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