Date: 07 & 08 October 2025

Time: 09.00 – 17.00 PM BST (London-time)

Location: London

The world is in turmoil. From extreme weather to health emergencies, from debt crises to aid cuts, from trade wars to violent conflicts, the frequency and severity of economic shocks are increasing. In addition to this, political instability is suddenly emerging in countries that were long considered to be stabilising forces. In the face of this increasing uncertainty, governments need to build greater resilience in order to absorb and respond to shocks in the short term, while reducing their vulnerabilities in the long term.

The impact of these shocks on public finances can be dramatic, but public finance systems also have a key role in future-proofing economies against them. Identifying what strategies and reforms to prioritise to strengthen public finance systems in different contexts needs to be part of a global conversation.

ODI Global’s public finance conference will move this conversation forward on 7-8 October 2025 in London. This year’s theme, “building resilient futures”, will bring together policymakers, public finance officials and global experts to discuss how, in an increasingly uncertain world, countries can respond to shocks in the short term, while reducing their vulnerabilities in the longer term. A lineup of high-level speakers will engage the audience in debates on the options and trade-offs facing different countries.

Lin O'Grady, Head of EBRD Green Cities will participate on the panel Financing resilient cities: fiscal risks or engines of growth? on Wednesday 8 October.