The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing and exacerbating social, economic and infrastructural inequalities and challenges.
 
Development banks can play a significant role in supporting the pandemic response and recovery – by providing financing for infrastructure and other public goods; and by promoting financial inclusion.
 
The recovery cannot be a return to old, failed approaches and systems. We must raise our ambitions and recover better, guided by the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
 
I welcome this conference’s focus on financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, and on sustainable infrastructure – a critical component of a strong recovery in the areas of healthcare, transport and digitalization.
 
A people-centred, rights-based, green recovery from this pandemic will require an integrated response, based on correcting the failures of the past and redoubling our efforts to achieve the SDGs.
 
I send you best wishes for your discussions.