The Parliament of Kenya in conjunction with the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO) will host the Sixth Annual African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO) Conference in Mombasa this month
BY SILAS APOLLO
The forum focuses on experience sharing and is expected to help lift Africa’s economic development. It also seeks to debate the future of Parliamentary Budget Offices (PBOs), and will be coordinated by the Parliamentary Budget Office.
The event is scheduled to run from August 27 to September 1, 2023, and is set to be opened and presided over by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, is expected to attract delegates from across the continent and the world, including various PBOs and representatives of international organisations.
Top of the conference’s agenda will be discussions on the global economic outlook as well as global conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine which has been blamed on the increasing prices of food. Other discussions will also include the ongoing war in Sudan as well as other African countries.
The session will also discuss how fiscal policy can respond to the economic vulnerabilities exposed by the crises like conflicts and war.
The legislatures are also expected to discuss the role of fiscal oversight in ensuring transparent and responsible financial management as the call for greater accountability and fiscal prudence continues.
The conference is also expected to hold discussions on managing public debt and fiscal sustainability in times of uncertainty.
This discussion comes in the wake of countries witnessing a decline in the state of public finances over the past few years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic instabilities.
The session is set to cast a spotlight on effective public debt management, including balancing borrowing for growth and ensuring fiscal sustainability. The AN-PBO is a platform for African Parliamentary Budget Offices and similar institutions to share ideas and experiences about strengthening support for parliamentary fiscal oversight.
