What is the Bretton Woods 2.0 project?

The Bretton Woods Institutions were created in 1944 in the hopes that stronger international economic coordination would prevent another world war. Today, more than 80 years later, these institutions need to be revitalized and reimagined for a transformed global economy.

In an era of fierce geopolitical rivalries and unprecedented crises at a global scale, there is a profound need for reforms to the world’s monetary and financial system. But how exactly? What would a Bretton Woods system look like if it first emerged today?

Spring 2025 Meetings (Washington, DC)

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2024 Annual Meetings Events

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At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

Issue Brief

Mar 3, 2025

Financing the future: Unlocking private capital for global infrastructure and climate goals

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou, Nisha Narayanan, Hung Tran

MDBs and international financial institutions alone cannot bridge the climate and development financing gaps.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Issue Brief

Mar 3, 2025

Toward equitable debt contracts: Preventing de facto seniority-clause escalation in the sovereign lending space

By Lili Vessereau

China’s stringent clauses are hindering debt restructuring negotiations for low-income borrowers. Here’s how the IMF and World Bank can intervene.

China Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Mar 3, 2025

Fragmentation and the role of the IMF

By Patrick Ryan

Here’s how the IMF can adapt to ensure that the international system has an effective insurance mechanism.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Testimony

Feb 25, 2025

Martin Mühleisen testifies to House Committee on Financial Services on the role of multilateral financial institutions in competition with China

By Martin Mühleisen

On February 25, Senior Fellow Martin Mühleisen testified to the House Committee on Financial Services at a hearing titled, “Examining Policies to Counter China” 

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2025

Five big questions about the global economy in 2025

By Josh Lipsky, Sophia Busch

The answers to each of these questions will help determine the United States’ economic standing in the next twenty-five years.

China Digital Currencies

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2024

The IMF and World Bank did well under the first Trump administration. Will they again?

By Martin Mühleisen

The geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China has become more intense since Trump’s first term, which could affect how the incoming administration approaches the Bretton Woods institutions.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
G20 Summit in Rio

Econographics

Nov 27, 2024

Divided COP29 and G20 Summits: A taste of things to come

By Hung Tran

President-Elect Trump’s “America First” approach is already raising concerns at the G20 and COP29.

Brazil Climate Change & Climate Action

Econographics

Nov 1, 2024

The underestimated implications of the BRICS Summit in Russia

By Hung Tran

It is a mistake for the West to dismiss the power of symbolism and narratives in the geopolitical competition for global influence.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2024

Christine Lagarde on European competitiveness, US tariffs, and creating a digital euro 

By Daniel Hojnacki

The European Central Bank president discussed the European Union’s ambitions for becoming more competitive and modernizing its payments systems.

Economy & Business European Union

Bretton Woods 2.0

Oct 21, 2024

Get an inside look at the IMF-World Bank meetings as finance leaders navigate a geopolitically fragmented world

By Atlantic Council experts

To gauge whether delegates can revive the world’s spirit of cooperation at the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, we sent our experts to the center of the action in Foggy Bottom.

China Economy & Business

Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 12, 2024

Argentina needs reforms even more than the IMF’s money

By Martin Mühleisen

Buenos Aires must take a sustained path of economic reform or face an uncertain future with prolonged misery, social hardship, and continued decline.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Econographics

Nov 8, 2023

How digitalization can improve climate resilience in the Global South

By Camilla Valente and Saffiyah Coker

Digitalization offers a novel opportunity to build climate resilience if properly supported by the Bretton Woods Institutions.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Econographics

Oct 27, 2023

The status of labor rights in US trade policy

By Uma Menon

US trade policy can advance labor rights globally through stronger enforcement mechanisms and deeper multilateral collaboration with international organizations.

China Economy & Business
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva holds up a logo for the 2023 global policy agenda at the start of a news conference during the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Econographics

Sep 19, 2023

How the IMF can make sovereign debt restructuring more effective

By Bruce Shen and Euel Kebebew

In light global debt crisis, the IMF plays crucial role in navigating complexities exacerbated by COVID-19, emphasizing transparency, incentives, and innovative financial tools for effective debt management.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 23, 2023

What Brazil’s “multipolar” foreign policy means for the Bretton Woods institutions

By Jack Tapay-Cueva and David Dong

The BWIs must address the evolving attitudes of countries like Brazil to maintain their relevance in an ever-changing global order.

Brazil China

Econographics

Jul 27, 2023

The G20 still hasn’t made a breakthrough on sovereign debt restructuring

By Hung Tran

The G20's recent meeting failed to make progress on sovereign debt restructuring, disappointing low and middle-income countries. Zambia's deal favored China's preferences, revealing the challenges in establishing an equitable framework for debt relief.

Africa China

Econographics

Jul 12, 2023

Progress on debt restructuring provides a glimmer of hope for developing countries

By Jeremy Mark and Vasuki Shastry

As government and private-sector creditors finally take steps to restructure debt, questions remain over their readiness to meaningfully reduce debt burdens.

Africa China

Econographics

Jun 21, 2023

How ESG investing can better serve sustainable development

By Nisha Narayanan

2022 revealed several roadblocks preventing ESG from contributing to sustainable development. To change course, more clarity and agreement from both private data providers and from regulators is necessary.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2023

David Malpass on China’s role in the World Bank and how to prevent a ‘lost decade for growth’

By Katherine Golden

The president of the World Bank, speaking at the Atlantic Council as he prepares to hand over the reins to his successor, has one big worry about the global economy: a “reversal in development.” 

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2023

Five ways the World Bank can redefine its role in the global economy

By Nicole Goldin, Mrugank Bhusari

With a new president on the horizon and an appetite for reform in the US and beyond, the World Bank is ready for change. It can start by focusing on these five policy priorities.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform