LONDON, CMC – The London-based Commonwealth Secretariat has launched a new debt transparency handbook that offers member governments a clear road map to align their public debt operations with international standards.
It said that by using the guidelines in the handbook, governments can have accurate and reliable information about their debt obligations, enabling them to make informed economic decisions that will ultimately benefit their citizens.
In addition, enhanced transparency will allow lenders to have complete information before extending further loans while holding governments more accountable, reducing uncertainty for investors, and boosting market confidence.
Speaking at the virtual launch of the “Handbook on Public Debt Transparency,” Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC described the publication as a practical guide for debt managers, highlighting that inflation has significantly changed public debt from concessional financing to more expensive loans.
“Achieving debt transparency can be challenging but essential for debt sustainability. For this reason, we have developed this handbook to guide debt managers through the various standards and how they can be applied within their local contexts to achieve more transparent, open, and accountable public debt management while mitigating potential risks. Now is the time for proactive implementation.”
She said that 32 Commonwealth countries carry debt-to-GDP (gross domestic products) burdens of over 60 percent, adding that “managing these unsustainable debt levels hampers the capacity of governments to invest in essential social services for their citizens.”
Drawing upon the Commonwealth Secretariat’s 40 years of experience in debt management and recognized good practices, the handbook provides officials with an easy-to-use self-assessment tool to evaluate the transparency of their debt operations, including transactions, terms, and conditions.
Where necessary, the assessment outlines specific measures that countries can take to address shortcomings by national commitments and international standards.
The handbook also consolidates expert advice from various sectors, including national debt management offices and international financial institutions, to offer insights into good practices for transparency in debt collection, recording, reporting, and servicing.
The Secretariat said the handbook outlines actionable steps countries can take to cover all government liabilities, maintain accurate data records, provide consistent reports, and share information effectively with stakeholders.
Senior Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Economic, Youth, and Sustainable Development, Dr Ruth Kattumuri, said the handbook’s launch is timely in light of the various global shocks causing debt distress in many developing nations.
“Our handbook outlines public debt management principles for disseminating timely, comprehensive, accurate, accessible, and intelligible debt data reporting, policies, and operations to enhance debt transparency practices.
“This enhanced transparency is important because it not only helps countries address the unsustainable levels of public debt but also allows them to make full use of the borrowed funds to improve social services, support efficient fiscal management, raise living standards, and achieve sustainable and resilient development,” she added.
The handbook is part of a package of resources developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Debt Management Unit to support countries in strengthening their debt management systems, including Meridian, which is being used by 47 countries.
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