The IMF’s European Regional Network for Infrastructure Governance conference

The Joint Vienna Institute hosted a meeting of the IMF’s European Regional Network for Infrastructure Governance from December 13-15. Eleven countries from the JVI region and the wider European region convened in Vienna, bringing together senior officials from ministries of finance and other central units responsible for public investment management. The participants exchanged views on the common challenges their countries face in public investment management. The topics covered planning, budgeting for and implementing public infrastructure, improving capacity and information systems, and making public investment more climate sensitive. Participants highlighted the critical role of ministries of finance in maximizing the efficiency of public investment. Practical experiences were shared by presenters from Georgia, Greece, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, allowing for extensive peer learning.

The event also brought together other institutions supporting public investment management in the region, including the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, and the World Bank. The IMF’s capacity development activities on public investment management in the region are supported by the European Union, and the governments of Switzerland and Japan.