IMF Conference

Thursday, November 17
In-person: Ito Hall, The University of Tokyo / Virtual: Zoom
** Time shown below is in Japan Standard Time (UTC/GMT +9)

8:30 AM

9:00 AM

Opening Remarks
Watch

• Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director, IMF
  Speech

9:10 AM

Keynote Speech

• Raghuram Rajan*, Professor, University of Chicago
  Speaking notes

9:30 AM

Session I: Globalization Unwound?
Watch

Moderator: Kenichi Ueda, Professor and CARF Director, The University of Tokyo

Panelists:

• Raghuram Rajan*, Professor, University of Chicago
• Beatrice Weder di Mauro, President, Centre for Economic Policy Research
• Asako Aoyama, Senior Vice President, NEC Corporation
• Piti Disyatat*, Assistant Governor, Bank of Thailand

Issues for discussion
Globalization, which has supported global economic expansion for three decades since the end of the Cold War, is now being unwound. Financial crises including the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19 related market turmoil as well as geopolitical conflicts have been forcing policymakers and businesspersons to brace for greater uncertainty. This session discussed the future of globalization and implications for international trade and finance.

Coffee Break

Session II: Lessons from the crisis response to COVID-19
Watch

Moderator: Ryozo Himino, Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo

Panelists:

• Andrew Metrick*, Professor, Yale University
• Hiroshi Nakaso*, Eminent Guest Professor, The University of Tokyo
• Stijn Claessens*, Deputy Head of Monetary and Economic Department, Bank for International Settlements
• Paolo Mauro, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF

Issues for discussion
The COVID-19 pandemic required unprecedented policy interventions to safeguard people’s lives and livelihoods, the survival of many businesses and the functioning of financial systems. Fiscal and monetary support was swift and very large across most countries. Many regulatory relief measures were also adopted. This session explored lessons from the pandemic policy responses and implications for future crisis management.