Civil Society Policy Forum 2025 - Hidden debt: Tackling grand corruption in debt management to safeguard financing for development

The inclusive Society Institute, represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Swanepoel, attended the Civil Society Policy Forum 2025 on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. The meeting was held at the Headquarters of the International Monetary Fund in Washington and Online. The focus of the meeting was on hidden debt and how to tackle grand corruption in debt management in order to safeguard financing for development.

Debt is essential for the economy. But what happens when it is captured, mismanaged, acquired improperly, or hidden? Amid increasing democratic backlash, greater transparency and accountability in debt are urgently needed. The session also explored lessons from Mozambique to shape FfD4 discussions on preventing debt capture and safeguarding economic sustainability and future generations’ welfare.

Speakers included: 

• Daniela Patino Pineros, Lead Public Resources, Transparency International (moderator)

• Aslak Jangård Orre, Senior Researcher Chr. Michelsen Institute

• Kjetil Abildsnes, Senior Policy Officer - Debt Justice, Eurodad

• Sally Torbert, Policy Manager, International Budget Partnership

• Alessandro Gullo, Assistant General Counsel, IMF