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Articles by Jean Saldanha
Squeezed by debts and disasters, the Global South needs reparations, not more loans
A s Thailand tallies the wreckage of catastrophic floods, the architects of global finance are convening in its capital. Finance ministers, central bankers and delegates have arrived for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group this week.
Global South deserves better
A circular display bearing the logo of the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok on Friday. Chanakarn LAOSARAKHAM / AFP As Thailand counts the cost of devastating floods, the world's most powerful financial institutions are gathering in the capital. Finance ministers, central bankers and delegates have arrived for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank that will run from today until Sunday.
Squeezed by debt and disasters, the Global South needs reparations, not more loans
As Thailand counts the cost of devastating floods, the world’s most powerful financial institutions are gathering in the capital. Finance ministers, central bankers, and delegates have arrived for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
Santa Marta must confront the fossil fuel profit machine
As governments gather in Santa Marta this week to map out a “just, orderly and equitable” transition away from fossil fuels, the world is already being pulled in the opposite direction. Conflict in the Middle East - initiated by the US and Israel - is driving up oil and gas prices, with the effects moving rapidly through global markets. Europe - still weakened by the last fossil fuel crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - faces another round of rising energy costs.
2026: Striving for justice in an age of self-interest
With the US military operation in Venezuela and threats to intervene by force if needed in other sovereign territories, the US President’s Executive Order to withdraw from 66 international organisations and the protests in Iran, it is hard to believe that we are only two weeks into the new year. The brutality and impunity with which the US is setting aside international law or commitments to international organisations is astounding.
Now is the time to rebuild the global economic system
Global leaders will soon gather in Sevilla, Spain, for a historic UN Financing for Development Conference — which will set the agenda for how the global economic system will serve development in the coming years. This is the first ever to take place on European soil and the stakes could not be higher. There are 3.3 billion people who live in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than they do on health or education. This is more than seven times the population of Europe.
Now is the time to rebuild the global economic system
Global leaders will soon gather in Sevilla, Spain, for a historic UN Financing for Development Conference — which will set the agenda for how the global economic system will serve development in the coming years. This is the first ever to take place on European soil and the stakes could not be higher. There are 3.3 billion people who live in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than they do on health or education. This is more than seven times the population of Europe.
The trillion dollar question - what next for EU financing for development?
EU member states are feeling the heat to come up with a credible offer for the UN Financing for Development Conference, set to take place in Seville at the end of June. The EU is under pressure to honour its commitments to multilateralism and stand up against attacks on sustainable development within the UN’s system. The question is whether the EU will demonstrate the political will to do so, and whether Spain, as host country, can move the bloc forward.
Seeking common ground: Finding solutions in a challenging world at P4NE’s 2024 convening - Alliance magazine
Despite the excitement to meet old friends, make new ones and germinate new ideas, the 2024 P4NE convening in Brussels had a distinct “ morning-after” vibe. The event was held one day after the US election results and the collapse of the German government coalition, so in a world already torn by inequality, militarisation, and a climate rapidly warming above the 1.5 C threshold, the mood was mixed.
2024: A world on fire in need of multilateral action
Last year was the , and experts are warning that the first half of 2024 could be even hotter. It is countries in the global south that are experiencing the harshest consequences of a rapidly warming planet. These are the communities that are also dealing with the fallout from a worsening global economic situation.
Reaction: IMF/WB Spring Meetings 2023 - So-called ‘reforms’ create greater dependence on private finance and increase debt burdens
Amidst mounting concerns that the debt crisis is spiraling out of control, decisions made at this week's Spring Meetings will not substantially change anything, especially for countries with large debts owed to multilateral development banks. Instead, reforms currently being discussed will open the way to greater dependance on private finance, and increase their debt burdens.
Banga's nomination has Empire written all over it
The speed with which the US nominated Wall Street veteran Ajay Banga as their candidate for the World Bank World Bank WB The World Bank was founded as part of the new international monetary system set up at Bretton Woods in 1944. Its capital is provided by member states’ contributions and loans on the international money markets. It financed public and private projects in Third World and East European countries. It consists of several closely associated institutions, among which : 1.
Banga's nomination has Empire written all over it
The speed with which the US nominated Wall Street veteran Ajay Banga as their candidate for the World Bank Group’s (WBG) President came as a surprise to many in civil society. Malpass’ resignation, announced just a week before, was a new opportunity to rethink the role of the institution to address the multiple challenges that countries in the global south are facing.
Opinion: Will rich nations finally deliver solutions to the debt crisis?
Assorted paper bills. Photo by: Chris Helgren / Reuters We are at a crucial juncture. Global discussions on how to respond to low- and middle-income countries’ increasing debt burdens could lead us to a prolonged debt crisis in the global south, especially in Africa, or to game-changing debt architecture reform. The question is: What path will high-income countries choose?
A new website to meet the challenge of online advocacy
The world has changed dramatically in the past six months since we set out our priorities for 2020. Nonetheless, Eurodad’s expert research, advocacy and analysis is more relevant than ever. The economic and health crises provoked by the Covid-19 pandemic have starkly highlighted a global system based on inequality. And as governments seek to Build Back Better, Eurodad will be there advocating for a system based on solidarity, sustainability and economic justice for all.
How Will the World Be Different After COVID-19
Finance & Development, June 2020, Vol. 57, Number 2PDF version Life Post–COVID-19 Six prominent thinkers reflect on how the pandemic has changed the world Daniel Susskind, James Manyika, Jean Saldanha, Sharan Burrow, Sergio Rebelo, and Ian Bremmer Daniel Susskind In March 2020, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, an influential figure in British intellectual life, described the COVID-19 catastrophe as “the nearest we have to a revelation for atheists.” At the time I thought the comparison was apt.
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