Book Launch and Discussion on "Energy Subsidy Reform: Lessons and Implications"

The World Resources Institute invites you to join the launch of the new book by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Energy Subsidy Reform: Lessons and Implications, followed by an interactive discussion with leading experts.

Opening remarks:

• Carlo Cottarelli, Director, IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department

Panel includes:

• Nancy Birdsall, President, Center for Global Development
• William Gale, Co-Director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, Brookings Institution
• David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
• Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute (Moderator)

About the event:

Energy subsidies are expensive, hurt the environment by promoting excessive consumption of energy, and do a bad job of helping the poor because they tend to benefit those that need it the least. Yet despite a strong economic case for their elimination, governments have found it difficult to do so. A new book by the IMF, however, finds that a well-designed strategy can reduce subsidies and win public support. The book also provides the most comprehensive estimates of energy subsidies compiled to date. These subsidies are estimated at US$ 2 trillion in 2011, including tax subsidies in advanced countries that arise from the under-pricing of energy. Please come join us for a presentation of the book by David Lipton, the IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director, followed by a panel discussion.

RSVP to Pierre Albert (e-mail: palbert@imf.org; phone:202-623-6178)