Brookings: Experts - Domenico Lombardi

The Global Economic Agenda: Issues Paper for the Washington Roundtable

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following a September 18 roundtable focused on the global economic agenda for the fall of 2009, Domenico Lombardi reflects on discussions at this forum, which served to enhance engagement and exchanges between experts from the U.S. and other G-20 countries on the critical issues to be addressed at these highlevel international gatherings.

"Coping" with the G-20: Italy and the Challenge of Global Governance

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Replacing the G8 with the G-20 poses a delicate issue for smaller G8 countries, such as Italy. Some fear this move will dilute their perceived role and influence in the world stage. Domenico Lombardi discusses the dynamics of the G-20's more diverse membership and what role Italy can realistically pursue in an "enlarged" global governance setting.

A New International Monetary Fund?

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a recent compilation of commentary for the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Domenico Lombardi discusses conclusions drawn from recent IMF governance reform consultations and states that it is time for the IMF to embrace transparency and accountability, in order to bring its practices into line with those of other international organizations.

G-20 Summit: Recovering from the Crisis

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On September 24, President Obama will chair his first G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. With the world economy improving, leaders will now focus their attention on economic recovery and restoring financial stability. Experts from Brookings Global Economy and Development program analyze top issues to be addressed at the summit and provide recommendations on how to effectively overcome global economic and governance challenges to ensure recovery now and to prevent future crises.

IMF Governance Reform and Civil Society

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Governance reform at the IMF is one of the most critical tasks facing the institution. In early 2009, the IMF Managing Director, for the first time in the Fund's history, called for global consultations with civil society to gather its input in the current reform process. In a presentation before IMF Executive Directors, Domenico Lombardi shared the main points of the final report of the Fourth Pillar (civil society) consultations on IMF governance reform.

The G20 and Political Capital for the International Financial Institutions

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Discounted by many observers only a year ago, the International Financial Instiutions (IFIs) have been bolstered by support of the G20 process. Domenico Lombardi discusses how the G20 can be used as catalyst for reform within international finance.

Can the G8 Lead in IMF Reform?

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Domenico Lombardi questions whether the G8 is leading the discussion on critical IMF governance reform and claims that the G20 may be better equipped to mobilize these issues. While the G8 may no longer be the guiding force behind the reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions, Lombardi states that it does provide an informal framework to discuss issues of common responsibility among its members. For instance, the G8 Summit should focus on the declining aid flows to poor countries and fulfilling its previous commitments to aid African growth.

After the Fall: Re-asserting the IMF in the Face of Global Crisis

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Under the pressure of the current crisis, the international community is carving out a new role for the IMF. Among Domenico Lombardi's recommendations is making the decision-making system more transparent and inclusive.

Back to the Future: The Reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions and the Harry White Method

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Will the G-20 be able to offer recommendations for the outdated governance systems of the IMF and the World Bank? Domenico Lombardi suggests a focus on the Bretton Woods model could provide the needed guidance.

Bringing Balance to the IMF Reform Debate

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In advance of the upcoming World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings, Domenico Lombardi argues in a new report, published by a group of organizations focused on global governance, that the IMF’s governance structure and operational approach must be reformed in order to restore the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Fund.

Governance: The Key to Effective Policies is Accountability

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Domenico Lombardi discusses the need for stronger accountability with Finance and Development, a quarterly magazine of the International Monetary Fund, as a way to improve living standards in developing countries and sustain growth.

Should the International Monetary Fund Do Surveillance?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducts regular surveillance with members on economic policies. In a speech to the IMF’s Executive Board, Domenico Lombardi and Ngaire Woods discuss the effectiveness of the Fund’s surveillance efforts and offers recommendations for potential improvement that would aid internationally monetary cooperation.

How Europe Can Shape the International Monetary Fund

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This weekend the IMF and World Bank hold their annual Spring meetings. Domenico Lombardi discusses the IMF governance reform plan and ways in which Europe can help to effectively shape the Fund's future.

The Politics of Influence: An Analysis of IMF Surveillance

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Role of the IMF in Low-Income Countries: Recent Issues

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The question whether the IMF should effectively engage with its low-income member countries has recently generated a wide debate among development economists, policymakers, and advocates from nongovernmental organizations. Brookings Scholar Domenico Lombardi examines the important role that the IMF can play in its low-income member countries and suggests avenues for future improvement.

Q&A on International Financial Markets and the IMF

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In a time of increasing uncertainty about global financial markets and the future of the international monetary system, Peter Kenen, Walker Professor of Economics and International Finance Emeritus at Princeton University, discussed the most critical global economic issues and the future of the International Monetary Fund with Domenico Lombardi, Brookings Global Nonresident Senior Fellow.

Europe and the IMF

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Domenico Lombardi explores Europe’s governance role at the IMF in advance of the Annual Meeting in Washington.

The Role of the IMF in Low-Income Countries

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Nonresident Senior Fellow Domenico Lombardi speaks at an Oxfam International Event on the Role of the IMF in Low-Income Countries.

Uneven Patterns of Governance: How Developing Countries Are Represented in the IMF

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The IMF is governed by a 24-member Executive Board which represents 184 countries. Although often prized as a small and efficient decision-making body, the Board represents some countries more effectively than others. This is due to the institutional structure and incentives within which the Board operates. Prime among them is a system of constituencies which have formed and evolved as countries have sought to improve their position in the organization. These groups vary in size, shared interests, and distribution of power. Their effectiveness is not only affected by these attributes. It is also determined by decision-making rules across the institution, by the lack of formal accountability of Board members, and by the strength of other coalitions of countries acting informally within the institution. The analysis implies that representation on the IMF Board could be improved without altering the size of the Board.

The IMF's Role in Low-Income Countries: Issues and Challenges

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Drawing on recent research, this study elaborates on the role of the IMF in support of its low-income members, pointing to the global character of the institution and to its superior ability—given its multilateral nature—to serve as a financial institution, an information provider, and a commitment device. The IMF assists low-income members through a range of activities that are normally bundled together, including lending, offering policy advice, and providing assistance with capacity building. The study reviews the features of IMF policies towards its low-income membership and points to the main challenges to their success.