Finland to show strong support for Ukraine at meetings in Washington DC

Minister of Finance Riikka Purra will participate in the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC on 18–19 April. The most difficult subject on the agenda is the geopolitical situation, particularly Ukraine and Gaza.

“It is important to us that the IMF and World Bank continue to support Ukraine. Russia’s war of aggression is having a broad impact on the global economy. The communiqués from the meetings must not paper over Russia's role as the aggressor,” Purra said.

Discussions to focus on global economy and World Bank reforms

Minister Purra will represent the Nordic-Baltic Constituency in the International Monetary and Financial Committee. Iceland will represent the constituency in the joint Development Committee of the World Bank and the IMF.

The International Monetary and Financial Committee will discuss the support programme for Ukraine and support for low-income members. The discussions will be based on the IMF's World Economic Outlook, which will be published on 16 April.

The main item on the agenda of the Development Committee is the World Bank reform process, which is aiming to improve the impact of activities. Finland supports the reform process. The situation in the Gaza Strip will also be discussed.

Russia’s war of aggression must be condemned

Both committees are preparing communiqués on key issues at the meeting. At the Annual Meetings held last October, Finland led the Nordic and Baltic countries in demanding that the communiqués clearly condemn Russia's war of aggression.

“We remain resolute in our position: Russia's war of aggression must be condemned,” Purra said.

Inquiries:
Leena Mörttinen, Permanent Under-Secretary, tel. +358 295 530 021, leena.morttinen(at)gov.fi
Riikka Slunga-Poutsalo, State Secretary, tel. +358 40 825 1098, riikka.slunga-poutsalo(at)gov.fi