[Event Recap] Deep Dive into Risk Finance Instruments: Risk Retention Mechanisms for Agriculture (Webinar #8) | Knowledge Series on Strengthening Financial Resilience in Agriculture

The eighth and final webinar session in the Strengthening Financial Resilience in Agriculture Knowledge Series took place virtually on January 26, 2022. The session discussed the role of financial instruments and processes used by governments and other organizations to retain risks which cannot be mitigated, and which are not appropriate for risk transfer. The session was a continuation of our deep dive series, building on the previous two sessions which discussed the use of various risk transfer instruments for individuals, businesses, and governments. The session provided an overview of risk retention mechanisms including discussion around budget instruments, disaster funds, and contingent credit. Tatiana Skalon (Financial Sector Specialist, Crisis and Disaster Risk Finance [CDRF], World Bank Group, [WBG]) provided an overview of how risk retention mechanisms fit within the risk layering scheme, why it is critical to hold funds in reserves, and the value of well-designed governance and planning. Luis Alton (Senior Financial Sector Specialist, CDRF, WBG) presented the case study on Government of Mozambique's Disaster Risk Management Fund. Elizabeth Rees (Senior Technical Advisor, Crisis Anticipation and Risk Finance Team, Start Network) presented the experience and case study of Start Network with focus on two approaches to humanitarian financing, Start Fund and Start Ready.

John Plevin (Financial Sector Specialist, CDRF, WBG), facilitated the webinar and presented the key takeaways from the previous webinar. The virtual session brought over 120 participants from client countries, international organizations, private sector companies, non-governmental organizations, and academia. Click here and here to access the session recording and slides.   

The DRF for Agriculture Knowledge Series features interactive webinars and associated fact sheets from February 2021 to January 2022. Invited speakers are industry experts, government clients, and seasoned practitioners from the World Bank Group and international development agencies. This series offers a World Bank Group certificate of achievement. Click here to access the post-event resource page.