IMF, World Bank to hold April meetings in 'virtual format'

The spring gathering of finance ministers and central bankers scheduled for April in Washington, DC will be shifted to a “virtual format” due to the coronavirus epidemic, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced.

The twice-yearly meetings of development-lending institutions attract thousands of officials, journalists and private-sector participants from 180 member countries — just the kind of gathering health authorities are advising against.

IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass said in a joint statement that “given growing health concerns related to the virus, we will switch the meetings to a virtual format.

This was the latest in a series of major events that have been canceled or postponed, including the ASEAN summit of world leaders.