Update on the Joint IMF-WB Multipronged Approach to Address Debt Vulnerabilities - November 12, 2020

Jul 19, 2026

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Rising debt risks in low-income developing countries and emerging markets have driven the IMF and the World Bank to implement a multipronged approach to address debt vulnerabilities. COVID-19 has intensified urgency while stretching country capacities, making debt sustainability and transparency essential for long-term development financing. The approach is structured around four mutually reinforcing pillars: debt transparency, public debt management capacity development, analytical tools for debt risk assessment, and lending policy adaptation to support efficient resolution of debt crises.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages49

Reading Time2 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Four pillars of the multipronged approach

Progress since 2018

Forward-looking priorities and indicators

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized WORLD BANK GROUP INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND UPDATE ON THE JOINT IMF-WB MULTIPRONGED APPROACH TO ADDRESS DEBT VULNERABILITIES NOVEMBER 12, 2020 Prepared by the staffs ofthe World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund* Approved By Marcello Estevão (WB) and Kristina Kostial and Miguel Savastano (IMF) * Prepared by an IMF and WB team led by Mark Flanagan and Dalia Hakura (IMF) and Doerte Doemeland (WB), coordinated by Pilar Garcia-Martinez and Alexis Meyer-Cirkel (SPR) and Sebastian Essl (WB) in close collaboration with Charles Cohen (MCM) . The WB team consisted of Cigdem Aslan, Rodrigo Cabral, Jessie Nabulambo Kilembe, Lea Hakim (all MTI), Evis Rucaj and Nada Hamadeh (DEC), with inputs from David Duarte (IPG), Fily Sissoko (GOV) and Punam Chuhan-Pole (DFI). This paper has benefitted from extensive discussion with an interdepartmental working group comprised of Wolfgang Bergthaler (LEG), Santiago Acosta Ormaechea (ICD), Yasemin Hurcan (FAD), Andrew Ndeti Kitili (STA), and Giovanni Melina (RES) . Input was also provided by James Knight and Miriam Tamene (MCM), Antonio Garcia Pinto (ICD), Nadia Rendak and Gabriela Rosenberg (LEG), and Carolina Renteria as well as other colleagues from FAD. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Amid rising debt risks in low-income developing countries and emerging markets, the IMF and the WB have been implementing a multipronged approach (MPA) to address debt vulnerabilities. Amplification of debt risks owing to COVID-19 has upped the urgency to implement the MPA and highlights the importance of debt sustainability and transparency for longterm financing for development. At the same time, it should be noted that countries have limited capacities which are further stretched by COVID-19 and that implementation ofthe MPA by itself may not be sufficient to address debt vulnerabilities and risks from global economic shocks. The MPA is organized around four mutually-reinforcing pillars. It seeks to (i) strengthen debt transparency by helping borrowing countries, and by reaching out to creditors, to make better public sector debt data available; (ii) support capacity development in public debt management toavert and mitigate debt vulnerabilities; (iii) provide suitable tools to analyze debt developmentsand risks; and (iv) explore adapting the IMF’s and World Bank’s lending policies to better address debt risks and promote efficient resolution of debt crises. Since the MPA was first articulated to the Development Committee and the IMF and WB Boards in late 2018, important progress has been achieved notwithstanding rising debt vulnerabilities. This includes: (i) broader debt coverage in Low-Income Country Debt Sustainability Analyses (LIC DSAs) of 11 countries, enhanced debt transparency from increased reporting by borrowers to the international statistical databases, and wider publishing of debt data by the IMF and the World Bank; (ii) scaled-up debt recording and debt management capacity development activities for borrowers that have been supported by increased donor financing; (iii) expanded creditor outreach, in particular with the G20; (iv) the near completion of the revision of debt sustainability analysis frameworks; and (v) the near completion of a full redesign of the IMF and WB policies in relation to responsible borrowing and lending. Looking forward, the MPA aims to make further progress in each of these areas while adjusting to a post-COVID world. • Efforts to enhance debt transparency will focus on greater reporting by borrowers and creditors, improving reporting to and data dissemination by IFI databases, and providing analytical guidance to both borrowers and creditors. Clearer guidance will be provided on when and how to seek debt data in IMF-supported programs. The forthcoming review of the Data Provision for Fund Surveillance will consider what data the Fund requires for the exercise of its functions, including d

FAQs

What prompted the IMF-WB multipronged approach to address debt vulnerabilities?

Rising debt risks in low-income developing countries and emerging markets, amplified by COVID-19, increased the urgency to strengthen debt sustainability and transparency.

What are the four pillars of the multipronged approach (MPA)?

The MPA focuses on debt transparency, public debt management capacity development, analytical tools to assess debt developments and risks, and adapting lending policies to support efficient resolution of debt crises.

What progress has been made since the MPA was first articulated in 2018?

Progress includes broader coverage in Low-Income Country Debt Sustainability Analyses, improved reporting and publishing of debt data, scaled-up debt recording and capacity development with donor support, expanded creditor outreach (including with the G20), and near completion of revisions to analysis frameworks and policy redesign.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Rowan