A list of key upcoming meetings and events that have implications for global affairs compiled by the Global Observatory.

APRIL 5–11: Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund, Online

The spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund will take place virtually from April 5 to 11. The primary focus is the work of the institutions with additional events on international development, issues of debt, economic recovery, vaccines, and climate. Public viewings are accessible on World Bank Live.

APRIL 7: Second G20 Finance and Central Bank Governors Meeting, Online

Under Italy’s presidency the G20 Summit will take place in October in Rome. In the lead-up to the summit, finance ministers and central bank governors from member states are meeting to plan and coordinate economic responses to the coronavirus pandemic among other areas. This meeting builds on the first held in February.

APRIL 7–8: ECOSOC Youth Forum, Online

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum will be held on April 7 and 8. Youth leaders from around the world have the opportunity to engage with government representatives, youth counterparts, and civil society and private sector stakeholders. The sessions will be on sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, among other topics.

APRIL 9: Elections for President, Djibouti

The long-time president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, will be running largely unopposed for his fifth term in the country’s presidential election on April 9. The only other candidate is Zakaria Ismael Jafar—all other opposition candidates from the 2016 poll have boycotted. Djibouti is strategically important to due to its proximity to the Suez Canal and the waters where 40 percent of the world’s oil travels. The United States and other Western countries have thus made significant military investments in the country in recent years (the largest US base in Africa is in Djibouti). China has also invested heavily in the country’s economy and the government has a debt of 70 percent of its GDP to China.

APRIL 11: General Elections (President and Parliament), Peru

Peru will hold elections for president, vice president, and all seats of its parliament on April 11. If no candidate for president wins an outright majority, a runoff will be held on June 6. Peru’s government has been marked by contention between the legislative and executive in recent years. Parliament forced the resignation of two presidents between 2016 and 2021, and the president dissolved parliament in 2019. President Francisco Sagasti has been serving on an interim basis since November 2020. The country’s economy has also not fared well, with a 12.9 percent contraction during the pandemic.

APRIL 11: Second Round of Presidential Election, Ecuador

Ecuador will hold a runoff election for president on April 11, after no candidate reached the threshold needed for victory in the first round held in February. The two candidates—Andrés Arauz and Guillermo Lasso—received 32.7 percent and 19.7 percent respectively in the first round. Arauz is running with the support of former president Rafael Correa, whose policies centered on state-led development projects and social spending have been polarizing.

APRIL 11: Election for President, Chad

Chad will hold an election for president on April 11. Incumbent Idriss Deby Itno kicked off his campaign for sixth term on March 14. Three opposition candidates quit the race—which Deby is expected to win. One of the candidates claimed that it was “not favorable for fair and transparent presidential elections.”

APRIL 11: Election for President, Benin

Benin’s presidential election will be held on April 11. The candidates are President Patrice Talon and two others–Alassane Soumanou and Agbelessessi Kohoue. Twenty individuals had initially filed paperwork to run. The campaign kicked off on March 26, with 10 observers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) being present. A total of 90 observers are expected on the day of the election.

APRIL 19–23: UN Commission on Population and Development, New York

The 54th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development will be held in New York from April 19 to 23. The focus of the session will be population, food security, nutrition, and development, which was set to be the topic in 2020 until the commission was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

APRIL 24: International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

First observed in 2019, the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace will be marked this year on April 24. The day was established through a resolution of the UN General Assembly in December 2018, which reaffirms the UN Charter and its principles. The purpose is to draw attention to the values of multilateralism and international cooperation.

APRIL TBD: Peace Talks on Conflict in Afghanistan, Istanbul

Turkey plans to host peace talks on the conflict in Afghanistan in Istanbul this month. The Turkish foreign minister announced the talks in March and said the country will appoint a special envoy to Afghanistan. The talks were announced after the US shared a draft peace plan centered on an interim power-sharing administration under a new constitution.