RIYADH — The Saudi G20 Presidency and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will hold a high-level virtual event on Sept. 30, 2020, on "Enhancing Access to Opportunities in Arab Countries" to further the dialogue on enhancing access to opportunity, especially for a strong recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will be chaired by Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority Governor Dr. Ahmed Alkholifey, and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

The event will bring together Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Arab countries and heads of international and regional financial institutions and prominent scholars.

The COVID-19 pandemic's disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups has reinforced the need to enhance access to opportunities for all, including in the Arab region.

In July 2020, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors endorsed, under the Saudi G20 Presidency, the G20 Menu of Policy Options to Enhance Access to Opportunities for All.

Together with a background paper on the topic produced for the G20 by the IMF and the World Bank, this menu provides a valuable set of policy options that can support the immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic and move economies toward a more resilient and inclusive recovery.

The event will leverage the G20 and the IMF's work to further progress on inclusive growth in the region. The first session, including opening remarks by Al-Jadaan and Georgieva. — SG