INVITATION
The economic consequences of conflict
Date: Monday 6 May 2019, 15:00-16:00
Venue: Sustainability room, UNU-WIDER, Katajanokanlaituri 6 B, Helsinki
Registration<https://www2.wider.unu.edu/crm/content/economic-consequenc…
You are invited to attend a seminar with Mahvash S. Qureshi, Deputy Chief of the Regional
Studies Division of the African Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She
will give a presentation on ‘The economic consequences of
conflict’<https://www.wider.unu.edu/node/196573>73>, a study published in the latest
IMF Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook
report<https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/REO/SSA/Issues/2019/04/01/sre…19>.
This study explores the challenges faced by conflict-affected countries in sub-Saharan
Africa, providing a comprehensive analysis of the trends and economic consequences of
conflicts. Although the intensity of conflicts in recent years is lower than that observed
in the 1990s, the region remains prone to conflicts with around 30% of the countries
affected in 2017. Moreover, the nature of conflicts has changed, with traditional civil
wars being replaced by non-state-based conflicts, including the targeting of civilians
through terrorist attacks. Conflicts in the region are associated with a large and
persistent decline in per capita GDP and have significant spill over effects on nearby
regions and countries.
Conflicts also pose significant strains on public finances, lowering national revenues,
raising military spending, and shifting resources away from development and social
spending, which further aggravates the economic and social costs of the conflicts. The
findings highlight the significant costs and formidable challenges faced by countries
suffering from conflict and underscores the need to prevent conflicts, including by
promoting inclusive economic development, building institutional capacity, and social
cohesion.
For countries in conflict, efforts should focus on limiting the loss of human and physical
capital by protecting social and development spending. While this may be especially
daunting given fiscal pressures, well-targeted and co-ordinated humanitarian aid and
concessional financial assistance can provide some relief.
Practical information
The seminar will take place from 15:00-16:00 at UNU-WIDER (Katajanokanlaituri 6 B, 00160
Helsinki). Attendance is free but spaces are limited, please register
here<https://www2.wider.unu.edu/crm/content/economic-consequences-confli…ct>.
If you have any questions please contact Ruby Richardson
(richardson@wider.unu.edu<mailto:richardson@wider.unu.edu>)