ECB President Cristine Lagarde shares end-of-year message as world looks toward 2021

European Central Bank President and a stalwart in the international finance community, Cristine Lagarde, has shared an end-of-year message acknowledging the hardships faced in 2020 and looked toward 2021 for better days.

Ms Lagarde, who was previously at the helm of the International Monetary Fund for eight years between 2011 and 2019 and was ranked number two on Forbes’ 2020 list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, conveyed her vision for a “better, greener and more digital future”.

Striking an optimistic tone, Ms Lagarde said that on the bright side, it “has also seen Europe coming together”.

“We faced extraordinary challenges and together we responded forcefully for the benefit of all Europeans.

“More determined action followed, and more will continue to be necessary for a long time to come.

“My great hope for 2021 is that we continue to come together and use this crisis as an opportunity to build a better, greener and a more digital future.

“But, before we get to that and before work resumes, I want to wish all of you a happy and healthy Christmas, for you and your loved ones, and a good start to the new year.”