Challenges to Financing Middle-Income Countries Facing Crises

In collaboration with the United Nations in Lebanon, this is a panel discussion on ‘Challenges to Financing Middle-Income Countries Facing Crises’.

– Sigrid Kaag, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon
– Rayya El Hassan, Former Minister of Finance
– Erik Solheim, Chair of the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD
– Ferid Belhaj, World Bank Regional Director for the MENA Region
– Nasser Saidi, Former Minister of Economy & Trade and Minister of Industry & First VG of BDL

The impact of the conflict in Syria has been significant on neighboring countries. Lebanon, the smallest and amongst the most susceptible, faces today a critical test to its precarious stability. With short-term emergency assistance reaching its limits, options for financing sustainable, inclusive and greener development in Lebanon are needed.

In the context of the global policy dialogue on Financing for Development, and in view of the upcoming adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, this Panel discussion brings together the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank and the UN with Lebanese academics, serving or former officials, private sector actors and civil society groups, and other partners to explore long-term international financing options for Lebanon – a middle-income country facing a protracted crisis – and to focus the attention of donors, lenders and investors on challenges and opportunities in the Lebanese context.

Location: Issam Fares Institute, Auditorium