The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund's annual meetings get under way Saturday, in Washington.
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz says he is committed to advancing the issue of debt relief during the two-day conference.
Economic officials from around the world will discuss a plan to cancel debts of some of the world's poorest nations, including many in Africa. Officials are trying to come up with ways to pay for debt relief.
Leaders are also expected to discuss threats to global economic growth, including high oil prices, trade deficits and other economic imbalances.
On Friday, finance ministers from the Group of Seven major industrialized nations met with officials from major emerging economies, including China and India.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters.