In this episode Paola Subacchi and Thomas Melonio examine the future of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the likelihood of achieving them by 2030. They discuss how to navigate trade-offs and shape a realistic transition path – one that may be more manageable in the long term, but more complex in the short term. The conversation also highlights the critical need to ensure that developing countries are not left behind in accessing the opportunities provided by AI.

Hosts & Guests

Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.

Thomas Melonio is Chief Economist at Agence Francaise de Development.

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In this episode of DebtTalks, Paola Subacchi hosts Thomas Lambert for an in-depth conversation on recent cases of sovereign debt restructuring and how they have been managed. The discussion explores the complexities of bond markets, coordination challenges among creditors, the role of multilateral institutions in addressing debt distress, and the urgent need for affordable sources of capital.

Hosts & Guests

Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.

Thomas Lambert is Managing Director of Lazard, Sovereign Advisory Group.

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How do public development banks work and how can they help mobilise financial
resources to deliver global public goods? What can we expect from the 4th
International Conference on Financing for Development, set to take place in Seville
from 30 June to 3 July 2025? Paola Subacchi speaks with Nicolas Picchiottino about
harnessing finance to close bridge development gaps both between and within
countries.

Hosts and Guests
Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the
Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.
Nicolas Picchiottino is the Secretary General of IDFC and the Head of Public
Development Banks at AFD.

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The OECD Global Report 2025 highlights the resuming of a long-term trend of more
than two decades of rising debt levels, accompanied by growing interest payment
burdens in many countries. In this episode of DebtTalk, Paola Subacchi and Fatos
Koc explore policy options – from fiscal restraint and structural reforms to stimulate
growth in advanced economies, to strategies for developing local capital markets in
emerging and developing countries.
Hosts and Guests
Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the
Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.
Fatos Koc is the head of Financial Markets Unit at the OECD.

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In Episode 12 of DebtTalks, Paola Subacchi and Sarah Carlson discuss Europe’s debt outlook and the balance between economic growth and debt management. Before diving into these topics, they explore the role of credit rating agencies in the international financial system. The episode offers insights into the methodologies behind sovereign debt ratings, the challenges that these agencies face in today’s complex economic environment, and how ratings can influence both investor confidence and policy decisions.

Hosts & Guests

Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.

Sarah Carlson is Senior Vice President at Moody's Ratings, lead analyst for several European countries and a spokesperson on global issues and European matters.

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What does transparency mean when it comes to debt contracts? What should be disclosed and what should remain confidential? And how can we highlight good practice? In this episode of DebtTalks, Anna Gelpern speaks with Paola Subacchi about the new initiative Public Debt is Public which Anna is leading in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London. The project focuses on countries with limited resources and aims to create a platform where sovereign debt documentation is publicly available, searchable, and easy to access.

Hosts & Guests

Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.

Anna Gelpern is Scott K. Ginsburg Professor of Law and International Finance at Georgetown Law and non-resident senior fellow at Peterson Institute for International Economics.

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As countries face pressing environmental and social challenges, can debt be leveraged as a tool to finance sustainable growth? In Episode 10 of DebtTalks, Paola Subacchi and Thierry Watrin explore this crucial question, delving into the complex relationship between debt and sustainable development. The discussion covers how sovereign debt strategies, responsible lending, and innovative financial mechanisms can help address climate change, poverty, and inequality.

Hosts & Guests:

Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.

Thierry Watrin, a former advisor to Rwanda’s Minister of Finance, currently leads the Sustainable Debt Coalition, a UN initiative. He teaches a course on climate diplomacy at Sciences Po.

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It’s Davos season, and the 47 President of the United States has just been inaugurated. The road ahead is uncertain, with only informed speculation to guide expectations. Against this backdrop, in this episode of DebtTalks – recorded on January 29, 2025 –Paola Subacchi and Isabelle Mateos y Lago examine the relationship between monetary policy and sovereign debt. They discuss how central banks influence government borrowing costs and debt sustainability, particularly as policymakers navigate inflation and economic uncertainty. Changes in interest rates can either ease fiscal pressures or create new challenges for heavily indebted economies. The conversation delves into the current policy landscape, the impact of tightening or loosening monetary conditions, and the potential consequences for bond markets and public finances.

Hosts & Guests:
- Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.
- Isabelle Mateos y Lago is Group Chief Economist at BNP Paribas.

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