Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Third Replenishment Meeting of the International Development Association (IDA)-21 under the World Bank Group is beginning in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
According to the World Bank, the meeting aims to discuss IDA’s approach to the focus areas agreed upon in March, reach an agreement on IDA21’s results measurement framework, and zoom in on IDA21’s potential key features which may include crisis preparedness, vulnerability, and the SimplifIDA initiative. It will also discuss the demand and financing framework for IDA21 resources, proposed financial architecture, and financing scenarios.
The first replenishment was held virtually on May 18-19, while the second replenishment was organized in Washington DC.
The meeting, which will be held on June 18-21, is the largest meeting the World Bank Group has organized in Nepal so far. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to deliver a keynote address in the opening session of the meeting.
IDA is the low-income-country lending arm of the World Bank. Established in 1960, it aims to reduce poverty by providing concessional loans and grants for programs to boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions.
Around 200 representatives from 61 countries, including senior World Bank officials, are participating in the event.
The participants will discuss concessional loans and grant assistance to be provided to IDA countries for the next three years, priority areas, policy frameworks, result frameworks, and the required financial commitment over the next four days.
In line with IDA21’s theme of ending poverty on a livable planet: delivering impact with urgency and ambition, the IDA21 policy package will have five focus areas – people, planet, prosperity, infrastructure, and digitalization.
