Summary
I am pleased to be part of today s timely discussion on financing investments in emerging economies, policy, investment, and dispute resolution.
Your ongoing effort to include the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in these discussions does resonate with us.
Jamaica is a large shareholder, and significant beneficiary of our financing.
We have been cementing this relationship for over 50 years.
So, why is today s discussion so important?
COVID-19 has undermined our already fragile regional economies.
The impact has been severe, with gross domestic product declining by over 7% in 2020; significant job losses; and fiscal and debt sustainability concerns exacerbated as governments seek to contain the virus s spread; provide economic stimulus and protect vulnerable groups.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Barton relayed this message during her courtesy call to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. shortly after she presented her letter of credentials at the DFA office in Pasay City on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
During their talks, Barton and Locsin discussed WFP’s work in the Philippines, which began in 1968, but was formally re-established in 2006 following the Philippine government’s request to WFP to support the ongoing peace process in Mindanao at that time.
“My pleasure and honor to meet @teddyboylocsin and to work in close partnership to achieve Zero Hunger in Philippines,” the new WFP representative to the Philippines said on her Twitter account.