## Transcript of Statement by Kristalina Georgieva

_IMF News, September 25, 2019_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Transcript of Statement by Kristalina Georgieva](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2019/09/26/tr092519-transcript-kristalina-georgieva-statement-to-media)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2019/09/26/tr092519-transcript-kristalina-georgieva-statement-to-media/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/news/articles/2019/09/26/tr092519-transcript-kristalina-georgieva-statement-to-media/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/news/articles/2019/09/26/tr092519-transcript-kristalina-georgieva-statement-to-media/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: September 25, 2019

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### Announcement and opening remarks
- Kristalina Georgieva thanked the Fund's shareholders and the Executive Board for their trust.
- She acknowledged Christine Lagarde as her predecessor, noting "Her vision, her leadership contributed so much to the success of the Fund over the last years."
- She described the IMF as "an unique institution" with "tremendous history" and "wonderful, hardworking, highly-committed staff."
- She stated: "I'm very very excited, very proud to be joining you."

### Immediate priorities and role of the Fund
- Immediate priority: "to help members minimize the risk of crisis, and be ready to cope with downturns, should they occur."
- Emphasis on the Fund's mandate: forging "a path to stability and sustainable growth."
- Commitment to being "well resourced, well governed, always evenhanded, forward looking, and attentive to the needs of all our members--- big and small, rich and poor."

### Global challenges identified
- "Global economic growth continues to disappoint."
- "Trade tensions persist."
- "Debt burdens are rising in many countries."
- Warning that "warning signs are flashing and we must be ready to be tested."
- Long-term challenges to address: "inequalities, climate risks, rapid technological change."

### Long-term objectives and policy foundations
- Focus on building "stronger economies, and improve people's lives on the foundation of sound monetary, fiscal, and structural policies."
- Commitment to work "with my team with you and all others in this building" to strengthen the Fund.

### Engagement and membership
- Georgieva: "I look forward to working with all our countries 189 members, all or them."
- Personal commitment: "I will start officially on October 1st. But as you can see I am already here, sleeves rolled, ready to work."

### Press and contact details
- IMF Communications Department, MEDIA RELATIONS
- PRESS OFFICER: Keiko Utsunomiya Kutsunomiya@imf.org
- Phone: +1 202 623-7100
- Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
- Twitter: @IMFSpokesperson

*Transcript of Statement by Kristalina Georgieva, September 25, 2019*

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## References

- [https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/kristalina-georgieva](https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/kristalina-georgieva)
- [IMF Executive Board Selects Kristalina Georgieva as Managing Director](https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2019/09/25/pr19351-imf-executive-board-selects-kristalina-georgieva-as-managing-director)
- [Statement by Kristalina Georgieva on Her Selection as IMF Managing Director](https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2019/09/25/pr19352-statement-by-kristalina-georgieva-on-her-selection-as-imf-managing-director)
- [Kristalina Georgieva Biography](https://www.imf.org/en/About/senior-officials/Bios/kristalina-georgieva)
- [Frequently Asked Questions on Managing Director (MD) Selection](https://www.imf.org/en/About/Factsheets/Managing-Director-Selection-Process/qandas)
- [Transcripts](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)
- [PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)
- [https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2019/09/26/tr092519-transcript-kristalina-georgieva-statement-to-media_