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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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.

Econographics

Mar 15, 2023

Essential but unevenly distributed: IMF’s response to sovereign debt and financial crises

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The IMF’s response to today’s multifaceted challenges will require broader financing support.

Africa Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2023

The big questions (and answers) about Ajay Banga’s nomination to lead the World Bank

By Atlantic Council experts

What to know about the former Mastercard chief executive officer’s surprise nomination to lead the World Bank.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2023

China and private lenders are blocking a solution to the global debt crisis. The G20 must step in.

By Vasuki Shastry and Jeremy Mark

The international community must apply pressure so that China and private-sector lenders join in facilitating a collective haircut that includes all lenders.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2022

A badly designed Ukraine bailout could backfire on the IMF. Here’s how to get it right.

By Martin Mühleisen

The IMF should stick to what it does best in aiding Ukraine: Using its macroeconomic expertise to corral broader support while sticking to its guidelines for its own loan.

Conflict Economy & Business

Econographics

Nov 11, 2022

The target of limiting global warming to less than 1.5 degrees is practically dead. Why do emissions per capita matter?

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Achieving the target to limit global warming to below 2, preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius, by the end of the century seems more unfeasible than ever. The reason is simple. The most critical of greenhouse gases have continuously risen in the past decade and CO2 emissions are only expected to grow more in 2022 and for the foreseeable future. COP27 needs to pave the path for a renewed international cooperative and enforceable framework to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by the world’s top emitters both in absolute terms and in per capita terms.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

Econographics

Oct 31, 2022

The global infrastructure financing gap: Where sovereign wealth funds and pension funds can play a role

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou and Naomi Aladekoba

Having more than $65 trillion in assets, institutional investors such as SWFs and pension funds are uniquely positioned to bridge low-income economies’ infrastructure financing gap in the coming decades. The Bretton Woods Institutions (BWI) can encourage investment in developing countries’ infrastructure through providing various guarantee and insurance mechanisms, thereby reducing risk for private investors.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Econographics

Aug 2, 2022

The global slowdown: Why Sub-Saharan Africa is so important

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou and Naomi Aladekoba

The global community, with the leadership of the IMF and the World Bank, needs to focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. While the population in countries that have moved into the high-income and upper middle-income categories are now aging rapidly, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to one of the world’s youngest population structure. In addition to lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in this region, sustained and inclusive growth over the next two decades in Sub-Saharan Africa could contribute to the growth in the global economy.

Africa Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 28, 2022

Keeping everyone in the club: How sanctions complicate the Bretton Woods Institutions’ job

By Mrugank Bhusari, Maia Nikoladze, Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

With a voting majority at the Bretton Woods Institutions, the G7 and EU can collectively ask the institutions to comply with their sanctions. This is complicating the IMF and World Bank’s functions.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jun 16, 2022

The Marshall Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative: More differences than similarities

By Sienna Nordquist

This issue brief provides crucial insights as international political and business leaders once again call for a “new Marshall Plan”—this time to rebuild Ukraine should Russian aggression end.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Jun 13, 2022

Quasi-state financial institutions and the Bretton Woods: A case for collaboration?

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The emergence of new regional entities in global finance means the Bretton Woods Institutions are no longer the sole flag-bearers of economic development and financial stability.

Africa Americas

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