Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement

The document outlines a framework for a 'green and resilient recovery' following the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that the next 18 months are critical as countries invest $10-20 trillion. It advocates for low-carbon infrastructure, fossil fuel subsidy reform, and a revamp of the Bretton Woods system to prioritize well-being over traditional growth metrics. The dialogue warns against bailouts for carbon-intensive sectors like aviation and coal, and highlights the urgent need for debt cancellation in vulnerable developing countries.

• The next 18 months represent a critical window for action, during which countries are expected to invest $10-20 trillion or more to stimulate economic growth, which will dictate the future trajectory of sustainable development and climate.
• Economic recovery is expected to be uneven and non-linear, likely following a 'W-shaped' or multiple 'W' patterns rather than a simple V-shaped or U-shaped recovery, with different regions experiencing different phases at different times.
• There is a significant risk that recovery packages may include bailouts for carbon-intensive industries—specifically in the oil & gas, coal, aviation, and automobile sectors—which could undermine climate and sustainability goals.
• Developing countries face a more severe economic crisis due to reduced remittances, impaired supply chains, and capital flight; consequently, many vulnerable nations require full debt cancellation rather than mere suspension.
• Participants proposed a fundamental revamp of the Bretton Woods system to shift the focus of international agreements and processes toward well-being.

APA

World Resources Institute (2020). Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-1.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. 2020. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement |date=17 April 2020 |url=https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2020global, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2020}, month = apr, url = {https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }