IMF Podcasts

Poverty can mean different things in different countries. The creator of the "Multidimensional Poverty Index" explains how the measure is designed to expand policymakers' understanding of poverty beyond the traditional benchmark of living on less than $1.25 per day.

World trade has slowed in the past decade. Professor Douglas Irwin says countries need to shift from focusing on trade barriers at borders, to domestic reforms that would help entrepreneurs get their goods to port cities for export.

Russia is now likely in recession with GDP growth expected to decline 3.4 percent this year, says the IMF in its annual economic assessment. Mission Chief Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, explains how Russia's economic woes are largely due to the dramatic drop in oil prices, and sanctions in response to developments in Crimea and Ukraine.

India has invested nearly half a trillion dollars in its infrastructure over the last decade, but finding the funding for mega-projects is only half the challenge. The head of one of the country's leading infrastructure finance companies explains.

IMF board of Directors approved a package of proposals to help developing countries finance the new Sustainable Development Goals. IMF's Sean Nolan says the package will enhance the financial safety net for low income countries and fragile states.

Increasing trade can spur growth says Mari Pangestu of Jakarta's center for Strategic and International Studies. In this podcast Pangestu talks about how efficient, open and fair regional trade agreements make for a healthier global trade environment.

The IMF recently published a study on the world's water resource management challenges. Co-author Laure Redifer says Burkina Faso is an example of how efficient water resource management can improve a country's economic prospects.

Study by IMF Staff suggests raising income levels of the poor and middle boosts overall economic growth. Co-authors Kalpana Kochhar and Era Dabla-Norris say the wealth of the rich is not trickling down.

As the United Nations prepares to adopt its 17 new Sustainable Development goals in September, Florencio Abad talks about how the Philippines and other countries might find the resources required to hit the targets.

Public debt is a normal part of a government's finances, but too much debt can have serious consequences for a country. During a seminar at the IMF-World Bank Meetings, one former head of state, who left office with public finances in good standing, explains how her administration succeeded where others have so often failed. More at: http://www.imf.org/external/POS_meetings/SeminarDetails.aspx?SeminarId=41? Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP