The 2021 Principles Consultative Group (PCG) report features an interim report on updating the Principles for Stable Capital Flows and Fair Debt Restructuring based on contributions from PCG members. Changes in sovereign debt markets over the past decade, lessons learned from recent debt restructurings, the emergence of the DSSI and Common Framework, and the surge in investor interest in ESG considerations all underscore the need to update the Principles. 

In light of the 2021 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund, this letter provides private sector views that build on our November 2020 letter to the G20.  

This Addendum references the recent extension of and modifications to the G20/Paris Club Debt Service Suspension Initiative through June 30, 2021, providing a similar extension of/modifications to the private sector Terms of Reference.

In the wake of the extension of the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), as well as recent thoughtful proposals for reforming the international sovereign debt architecture, the IIF offers these private sector perspectives that build on our September 22 letter to the G20.

Building on the quarterly conference calls of the Principles Consultative Group, the 2020 PCG report takes stock of the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the global sovereign debt markets, emerging markets capital flows and debt sustainability, especially in developing countries. 

We remain strongly supportive of the intent behind the DSSI. However, we also recognize that the underlying premise may have changed—the issues in some countries are no longer temporary liquidity problems, but rather more fundamental solvency concerns. This letter sets out three key points which we believe are crucial.