Ilan Goldfajn’s speech at the IDB aligns with Lula’s

Combat hunger, promote cooperation between countries, foster growth with social inclusion, diversity and environmental preservation. The defense of these themes anchored the speech and presentation of economist Ilan Goldfajn to the Board of Governors of the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank).

The exhibition is part of the election process for the bank’s president, which will conclude next Sunday (20).

The IDB is considered the largest and oldest multilateral financial organization in the world and finances economic, social and institutional development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has 48 member countries and headquarters in Washington (USA). It was founded in 1959, on the initiative of some Latin American countries, led by Brazilians during the Juscelino Kubitschek government (1956-1961). Brazil, however, never chaired the institution.

Ilan, who was president of BC (Central Bank) under Michel Temer, is the first Brazilian with a chance of winning the vacancy. Although his proposals are in line with the speech of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), the elected government does not support the candidacy, which was presented by the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, and mobilized to try to postpone the election.

The IDB did not accept the request and maintained the original date.

THE Sheet had access to the text of Ilan’s presentation, which was anticipated by Valor Econômico newspaper. The economist’s proposals are converging with those of the PT on all points.

“It is essential to achieve equitable, sustainable and inclusive growth. This is the only way to simultaneously achieve economic and social sustainability and face the challenges of migration”, stated Ilan in his speech.

“The bank must foster development, anchored in structural reforms and investments in sustainable physical and digital infrastructure, with a focus on economic integration and with the aim of making the region more competitive, while reinforcing the social fabric and preserving the environment. environment,” he said.

Right at the beginning of his speech, Ilan highlighted the institution’s role in preserving “the spirit of cooperation” in Latin America and the Caribbean and the region with the rest of the world. He also highlighted that “food insecurity is an urgent issue” ..

“Emphasis must be placed on shared regional prosperity and consider diversity and unique experiences in the region,” he said.

The economist reaffirmed the IDB’s social role at different times.

“Fighting poverty, improving education and health services are part of the Bank’s core mandate,” he said. “This is particularly important in a region where societies have a perception that they are not receiving services from the public sector, as the pandemic has highlighted.”

Part of the presentation was reserved for gender discussion. According to Ilan, the IDB occupies a strategic position to support public policies aimed at equality and diversity, particularly in education, health and access to formal jobs.

“For this, customized actions are needed aimed at the inclusion of women, indigenous and traditional communities, afro-descendants, people with disabilities and LGBTQI+”, he said. 🇧🇷

Another topic highlighted was the defense of environmentally sustainable economic growth and the importance of the bank expanding actions on the climate agenda, including support for regional integration of green energy.

“The IDB must assume a leadership role in helping countries to address the issues of climate change and be ready to quickly address the impact of recurrent natural disasters in the region,” he said.

“This can be achieved by funding the transition to a low-carbon economy and supporting the implementation of country-led efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Ilan reinforced that the IDB is strategic for the insertion of the region in the current global context, because, with the proper support, countries can “provide accessible, reliable and green energy and contribute to regional and international food security, while conserving their abundant natural resources and biodiversity. But this role is not guaranteed, it has to be conquered.”

There was also an emphasis on the importance of the institution acting to stop the technological gap that has been created between more developed nations and some emerging ones.

“I defended the use of technology as an important source of prosperity in my previous public functions. This time, if I feel honored to be elected, it will be no different”, he highlighted in the speech.

“The Bank has an important role to play in supporting technological development, including expanding digital services and promoting a regional digital economy.”

Ilan made it clear that support for social and environmental issues does not exclude the bank’s role in supporting the private sector, and reinforced that the IDB has instruments to foster a healthy space for business.

“The bank should promote new opportunities for private sector development, including public-private partnerships, and support an enabling environment for investment,” he said. “Respecting the rule of law is essential to attract investment and achieve development and social inclusion.”

According to former Finance Minister Guido Mantega, the elected government has nothing against Ilan, but disagrees with the way in which the government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) forwarded the economist’s name.

The former minister confirmed to Sheet who sent an email to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asking that the election be postponed for 45 or 60 days. The initiative was anticipated by Brazil Journal.

“Bolsonaro launched a candidacy when he was close to the second round, and he could lose, and he lost. And he wanted to impose a name without seeking support from other countries”, said Mantega.

To be elected, the candidate for president needs the support of countries that represent more than 50% of the voting rights and also the majority among the members of America.

This Tuesday (15), economist and former Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles, who supported Lula’s election and is considered to be Minister of Economy, said that the elected government should support Ilan.

“Ilan’s name was widely accepted by Latin American countries in general, and I think it would be a great addition to Brazil,” he said in conversation with a journalist at an event in New York (USA)

“I defend the idea that the new government should support Ilan, who is an excellent name, and not enter into a question of party affiliation of ‘let’s choose’. It is a name that would represent Brazil very well in the Lula government”,.

The elected government’s refusal to support the economist created a fight with the member countries of the IDB that do not want to alienate Lula. According to Folha’s findings, however, ilan’s supporters have intensified contacts to strengthen the candidacy in this final stage and believe that the Brazilian preserves favoritism.

Also in contention are Cecilia Todesca Bocco, nominated for Argentina, Gerard Johnson, nominated for Trinidad and Tobago, Gerardo Esquivel Hernández, via Méxicom and Nicolás Eyzaguirre Guzmán, for Chile.