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Inter-American Development Bank: speeches

7 speeches by the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (International) listed between 12 January 2023 and 13 March 2026. Leaders covered: Mauricio Claver-Carone (1 October 2020 – 26 September 2022); Ilan Goldfajn (since 19 December 2022). Most frequent topics: growth, investment and productivity, development and emerging economies, climate, energy and nature. The full list is on iadb.org ↗.

Last updated 10 November 2026 · newest first

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· Ilan Goldfajn Wiki · Inter-American Development Bank WikiAddress by Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Investment Corporation, at the Inaugural Session of the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors

ContextAddress opening the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank, before the President of Paraguay.

Why it mattersSets the tone for Latin America's development agenda for the coming year.

Problems raised
  1. Latin America faces a critical moment for development.
  2. Growth and integration are insufficient.
  3. Challenges must be acknowledged honestly.
Solutions proposed
  1. Discuss development, growth and integration.
  2. Be a truthful partner to countries.
  3. Turn ambitions into concrete results.
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· Ilan Goldfajn Wiki · Inter-American Development Bank WikiClosing Address by President Ilan Goldfajn at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the IDB and IDB Invest

ContextClosing address of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the IDB and IDB Invest, its private-sector arm, held at Mapocho Station in Santiago, Chile.

Why it mattersThe closing address sums up what the region's governments agreed at the year's main IDB meeting, including new capital for private-sector lending.

Problems raised
  1. The region needs more private investment.
  2. IDB Invest needs capital.
  3. Development requires momentum.
Solutions proposed
  1. Advance IDB Invest capitalisation.
  2. Implement IDBInvest+ and IDBLab+.
  3. Build on commitments from Punta Cana.
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· Ilan Goldfajn Wiki · Inter-American Development Bank WikiRemarks by President Goldfajn at the Private Sector Forum of the 2025 IDB and IDB Invest Annual Meetings

ContextRemarks at the Private Sector Forum held during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the IDB and IDB Invest, which bring together member governments and companies.

Why it mattersThe speech shows how a development bank uses guarantees and credit lines to draw private money into projects that markets find too risky.

Problems raised
  1. Private investment faces risks.
  2. Market gaps exist.
  3. Energy sector lacks liquidity.
Solutions proposed
  1. Use guarantees and contingent credit lines.
  2. Bridge market gaps.
  3. Crowd in private capital.
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· Ilan Goldfajn Wiki · Inter-American Development Bank WikiRemarks by President Ilan Goldfajn during Argentine President Javier Milei’s Visit to the IDB

ContextRemarks during a visit by Argentine President Javier Milei to the Inter-American Development Bank in February 2025.

Why it mattersIt describes the IDB's planned financing for Argentina during the Milei government's reform programme, a closely watched economic turnaround.

Problems raised
  1. Argentina needs investment.
  2. Private projects need financing.
  3. Reforms need support.
Solutions proposed
  1. Analyse 20 private projects.
  2. Plan $1 billion in financing.
  3. Support Argentina's reforms.
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· Ilan Goldfajn Wiki · Inter-American Development Bank WikiRemarks by President Ilan Goldfajn on the Occasion of the XIII Annual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank

ContextRemarks at the 13th annual consultation between the IDB and the governors representing its Caribbean member countries (February 2025).

Why it mattersA year after the previous consultation, the IDB updates its plan for Caribbean economies facing climate disasters, weak growth and heavy debt.

Problems raised
  1. Caribbean countries are highly exposed to climate disasters.
  2. Growth in the region is weak and uneven.
  3. Public finances and debt limit room for investment.
Solutions proposed
  1. Scale up IDB financing and instruments for the Caribbean.
  2. Invest in resilience to climate shocks.
  3. Mobilise private capital for sustainable development.
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· Ilan Goldfajn Wiki · Inter-American Development Bank WikiRemarks by President Ilan Goldfajn on the occasion of the XII Annual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank

ContextRemarks at the 12th annual consultation between the IDB and the governors representing its Caribbean member countries (February 2024).

Why it mattersClimate exposure and high public debt are the two constraints of Caribbean economies; the speech links them through debt-for-climate swaps.

Problems raised
  1. Caribbean economies are vulnerable to climate change.
  2. High public debt limits investment.
  3. Water and environmental infrastructure is fragile.
Solutions proposed
  1. Use debt-for-climate conversions to create fiscal savings.
  2. Invest in water and climate resilience.
  3. Strengthen debt management capacity.
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· Ilan Goldfajn Wiki · Inter-American Development Bank WikiIDB President Goldfajn Presents Vision and Priorities in Inaugural Address

ContextInaugural address of Ilan Goldfajn as President of the Inter-American Development Bank, the main development lender for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Why it mattersA new president sets the priorities of the region's largest development lender for his whole term: integration, productivity and evidence-based projects.

Problems raised
  1. Social issues and climate change weigh on the region.
  2. IDB projects deliver uneven results.
  3. Polarisation hinders dialogue.
Solutions proposed
  1. Prioritise regional integration and productivity projects.
  2. Drive work with data and evidence.
  3. Foster dialogue and position the region on global challenges.
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