Gita Gopinath to take over as IMF's First Deputy Managing Director

Gita Gopinath, the chief economist of International Monetary Fund, will take over as the First Deputy Managing Director, the institute informed. She will become the second-ranking official, replacing Geoffrey Okamoto who plans to leave the Fund early next year.

Gopinath, who was scheduled to return to her academic position at Harvard University in January 2022, has served as the IMF’s chief economist for three years.

“Both Geoffrey and Gita are tremendous colleagues — I am sad to see Geoffrey go but, at the same time, I am delighted that Gita has decided to stay and accept the new responsibility of being our FDMD,” said Kristalina Georgieva, IMF’s Managing Director. She added that Gopinath — the first female chief economist in IMF history — has garnered "respect and admiration across member countries and the institution with a proven track record in leading analytically rigorous work on a broad range of issues."

Reacting to the news, Gopinath said, “As the pandemic continues its grip on us, the work of the Fund has never been more critical and international cooperation never more important.”

The first deputy managing director will take the lead on surveillance and related policies, oversee research and flagship publications.