WASHINGTON (AFP) - IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath will leave her post and return to Harvard University's economics department in January, the fund announced on Tuesday (Oct 19).
Gopinath, the IMF's first female chief economist, joined the fund in October 2018 and led new IMF analytical research on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination targets as well as on climate change mitigation.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva cited Gopinath's"tremendous" impact on the IMF's work.
Harvard extended Gopinath's leave of absence by one year, which allowed her to serve at the IMF for three years, the statement said.
She heads the International Monetary Fund's research department which produces the quarterly World Economic Outlook report with its closely watched GDP growth forecasts.
IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva praised Gopinath, who "made history" as the first woman to serve in the top economics post, for her critical analysis during the pandemic.
"Gita's contribution to the Fund and our membership has been truly remarkable - quite simply, her impact on the IMF's work has been tremendous," Georgieva said in a statement.
"We benefitted immensely from her sharp intellect and deep knowledge of international finance and macroeconomics as we navigate through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression."
Gopinath won praise for drafting a US$50 billion (S$67.23 billion) proposal on ending the pandemic by vaccinating at least 40 per cent of the population in all countries by the end of 2021, a plan later endorsed by the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization.
Gopintath's decision to leave was not linked to the recent controversy surrounding Georgieva, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Gopinath's leave from Harvard, already extended by one year, was ending, and her family had remained in Boston, the person said. She will remain at the IMF to oversee the release of the fund's next World Economic Outlook forecasts in January.
Georgieva, who previously served in a top position at the World Bank, was implicated in an investigation showing officials pressured economists to alter results of the bank's closely-watched "Doing Business" report that ranked countries based on business-friendly policies.
The US Treasury Department continues press for changes at the institutions to safeguard their integrity.
Gopinath told a news conference last week that the IMF takes data integrity "incredibly seriously" and has robust systems in place but is always looking for ways to improve.
But the IMF board last week expressed confidence in Georgieva and said the report did not conclusively show she "played an improper role."
Gopinath, a dual US-Indian citizen, was appointed to her role in October 2018.
The IMF said the search for a replacement will begin shortly.
