International Conference on Poverty Reduction Strategies
Washington, D.C., January 14-17, 2002
IMF Meeting Hall

An international conference on national poverty reduction strategies will be held in Washington, D.C. from January 14-17, 2002 as a key input into the ongoing joint staff review of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) approach being carried out by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as the IMF's staff review of its Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF). The conference is being organized jointly by the IMF Institute and the World Bank Institute.
The objectives of the conference are to discuss the experience to date with the design and implementation of PRSPs, the challenges that lie ahead, and possible areas where the approach could be strengthened. In discussing donor assistance and instruments in support of the PRSP approach, attention will be paid to the experience to date with the Fund's PRGF.
Participation (by invitation only) is expected to be broad based, with representatives from low-income countries, bilateral donor agencies, international organizations, and northern and southern civil society groups attending.
Preliminary Agenda
Monday, January14

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8:00-9:30: Registration
10:00-10:30: Introduction/Welcome by Mohsin S. Khan, Director, IMF Institute
Opening Remarks by Messrs. Horst Köhler, Managing Director, IMF and James D. Wolfensohn, President, World Bank

10:30-12:30: Plenary Session I: Discussion of the Review and the IMF/WB staff paper, "Issues and Possible Actions"
12:30-2:00 Lunch
2:00-4:00 Plenary Session II: Country Presentations: Lessons Learned from the first 8 Full PRSPs

4:00-4:30 Coffee Break
4:30-6:00
Plenary Session III: Retrospective of Regional Forums
Open forum discussion of Lessons learned from the first 8 full PRSPs and from Regional Forum Retrospective

Tuesday, January 15
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9:00-10:30: Theme I Plenary on Participation

10:30-11:00: Coffee break
11:00-1:00: Theme I Parallel Breakout Discussions

A. National Governance
B. Decentralization
C. Parliaments and Civil Society
D. External Partners


1:00-2:30: Lunch
2:30-4:30: Theme II Plenary: Content of Poverty Reduction Strategies

4:00-4:30: Coffee Break
4:30-6:30:
Theme II Parallel Breakout Discussions

A. Targets, Indicators, and Monitoring
B. Macroeconomic Policies
C. Structural and Sectoral Policies
D. Public Expenditure Policies and Management


Wednesday, January 16
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9:00-10:30:
Theme III Plenary Session on Donor Assistance, Partnerships, and Instruments

10:30-11:00: Coffee break
11:00-1:00: Theme III Parallel Group Discussions

A. IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF)--Part 1
B. IDA lending programs, including the Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC)
C. Other multilateral assistance, including from the United Nations
D. Bilateral support and the European Commission


1:00-2:30: Lunch
2:30-4:00: Special Sessions

A. IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF)--Part II
B. Post Conflict
C. HIV/AIDS
D. HIPC


4:00-4:30: Coffee Break
4:30-6:30: Reflection Period

A. Country Delegations
B. Civil Society Organizations
C. Bilateral Donors
D. International Organizations


Thursday, January 17
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10:00-12:00:
Final Plenary on Main Conclusions of the Conference
Presenters: Representatives from low income countries, civil society, bilateral donors, and international organizations.

12:00-12:30: Closing Remarks by Frannie A. Leautier, World Bank Institute
Formal Closing by Messrs. James D. Wolfensohn, President, World Bank and Horst Köhler, Managing Director, IMF

www.imf.org/external/np/prsp/review/2002/conf/121101.htm