Fourth Annual Sovereign Debt Restructuring Conference: Sovereign Debt, Restructuring and Risk Management in the Post-COVID-19 Era

The unprecedented contraction in global economic activity from the COVID-19 pandemic drew decisive domestic fiscal and monetary policy measures to ameliorate demand and supply implications, reduce systemic risks and maintain financial stability. However, medium-term vulnerabilities have risen because of these measures. In particular, sovereign and corporate debt levels have increased amid massive fiscal stimulus spending, contributing to explosive debt accumulation in advanced economies, emerging markets and low-income countries. As a result, issues of risk and sustainability have emerged. The increase in public debt necessitates the development of careful debt management strategies to avoid risks and debt distress situations that could lead to sovereign debt restructurings. This conference will address issues of debt management, sovereign debt and restructurings in the context of emerging risks in the global economy and provide tangible recommendations in managing debt and dealing with debt resolutions in case of emerging preemptive defaults or post-default situations.

Conference Co-Chairs: Michael G. Papaioannou, PhD, Expert Advisor, International Monetary Fund George Tsetsekos, PhD, GIC Secretary, Francis Professor of Finance and Dean Emeritus at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business