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Government of Colombia and IDB Group agree to reschedule annual meeting

Gathering will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia, in the first half of September 2020

The President of Colombia participated via telephone in a meeting of the IDB Board

The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank, in a meeting with the participation of the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez, announced today that the IDB Group’s 2020 Annual Meeting has been rescheduled and will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia, in the first half of September 2020. This meeting will also feature the election of the next president of the IDB.

The decision was made because of the extraordinary public health circumstances surrounding the global response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and it follows the guidance issued by international authorities including the World Health Organization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and the Pan-American Health Organization.

Many of the IDB and IDB Invest’s member governments, along with private companies and participants involved in the meeting have in recent days adopted travel restrictions and work practices based on guidance from their national public health authorities.

“We want to thank the president of Colombia, Iván Duque, the Minister of Finance, Alberto Carrasquilla, the mayor of Barranquilla, Jaime Pumarejo, and the hundreds of Colombians who have been working day and night to prepare for this meeting,” IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno said.  “When we meet in September, the world will have an opportunity to experience first-hand the extraordinary warmth of the people of this beautiful and dynamic city.”

During a telephone call to the IDB Board, the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez, underscored that the decision was made jointly by his government and the 48 member countries of the IDB.

“The IDB Annual Meeting is an invaluable opportunity for Colombia, but circumstances oblige us first and foremost to safeguard the health and safety of all Colombians,” said President Duque. “We are very proud of the exemplary work that the city of Barranquilla and all the relevant government agencies have done in preparing for this event. I have no doubt that our gathering in September will be an occasion to show the world the best that Colombia’s people have to offer.”

Given these developments, and at the request of President Duque, next week a delegation of the Board of Executive Directors of the IDB and the Office of the Secretary of the Bank will travel to meet with Colombian authorities.

About the IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is the leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public- and private-sector clients throughout the region.

Contacts

Turner, Taos Lee

Turner, Taos Lee
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