Message from the CEO, Marie Lam-Frendo

We are living in extraordinary times as the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic causes unparalleled disruption to lives and economies around the globe.

Our priority at the moment is the health and safety of the GI Hub staff, partners and stakeholders, and this is why we have decided to move all staff to working from home arrangements. The team remains fully available and can be contacted as usual by phone and email, or through our website.

On Monday, I joined the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in a virtual meeting hosted by the Saudi G20 Presidency. The purpose of the meeting was to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinate G20 governments’ efforts in response to the challenges to health systems and economies around the world.  

Amongst these Ministers and Governors, there was a consensus that collective action will be critical in responding not only to the health emergency, but also the economic and social impacts of the pandemic. The G20 will develop a joint Action Plan to outline the individual and collective actions that they have taken and will be taking to respond to COVID-19.

The G20 Ministers and Governors strongly supported increased efforts to help those countries at greater risk from the pandemic, particularly low-income countries. Discussions focused on the role of the International Monetary Fund, working closely with the World Bank Group and other International Financial Institutions, to deploy all available resources and explore additional measures needed to support financial stability and alleviate liquidity constraints for emerging markets and developing economies. You can read further details of outcomes from this meeting in a press release available here.

The GI Hub team are fully committed to supporting the G20 members. We are working closely with the G20 Presidency, International Organisations and our partners to support the emergency response to this global health crisis, and we will assist in the medium- and long-term infrastructure action plan that is needed to help rebuild the global economy.