IMF-World Bank Week at the Atlantic Council - Atlantic Council

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2026 Spring Meetings Highlights

Events

What will dominate the conversation at the 2026 IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings? Our Senior Fellows Hung Tran, Nicole Goldin, Martin Mühleisen will discuss what to expect from the meetings.

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The Marshall Islands is exploring how digital assets can reshape public finance, offering new models for how governments design financial instruments and deliver funds to citizens. David Paul, minister of finance of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, joins Candace Kelly of the Stellar Development Foundation and Lorena Rivero del Paso of the International Monetary Fund for a conversation moderated by Alisha Chhangani.

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Kyrgyzstan's economy has grown rapidly amid geopolitical uncertainty—but can it maintain its growth while pursuing greater stability? Bakyt Sydykov, minister of economy and commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on the country’s economic priorities, policy shifts, and role in regional integration and growth.

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Middle powers are playing an increasingly central role in shaping international development cooperation, moving beyond traditional donor-recipient dynamics. World Bank executive directors Marcos Chiliatto and Vel Gnanendran join the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Nicole Goldin on how these middle powers are redefining partnerships, financing models, and development priorities in a changing global landscape.

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Trinidad and Tobago is navigating its economic priorities amid shifting global conditions and evolving regional partnerships. The Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Jason Marczak on opportunities to strengthen economic ties with the United States, advance investment, and support sustainable growth.

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How does the United Kingdom view the global economic outlook at a time of persistent inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting trade dynamics? Megan Greene, member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England, joins the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center for a conversation on global growth, financial stability, and the policy choices shaping the path ahead.

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Debate is intensifying over whether the United States meets the legal threshold for a “large and serious” balance-of-payments deficit under Section 122 of US trade law. While many economists point to strong financing conditions and dollar dominance, others highlight persistent current account deficits and a deeply negative net international investment position as evidence of structural imbalance. Brad Setser and Peter Harrell join the Atlantic Council for a discussion moderated by Josh Lipsky on how economic and legal interpretations of US external imbalances could shape trade policy and global economic debates.

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As Latin America and the Caribbean seek to consolidate economic gains, investment in health ecosystems has emerged as a key pillar for macroeconomic stability. Finance and health leaders, including Carlos Guberman, undersecretary of the Treasury of Argentina; Santiago Cornejo, deputy director of the Pan-American Health Organization; and Yanet Giha, director of FIFARMA, join the Atlantic Council for a strategic conversation on "smart finance." This panel will unpack how innovative investment models, public-private partnerships, and fiscal reforms can transform health spending into an engine for sustainable development.

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What do the IMF’s latest forecasts reveal about the trajectory of the global economy? Following the release of the spring 2026 World Economic Outlook, Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center senior fellows break down the key signals behind the headline numbers—from global growth and inflation to trade dynamics, debt risks, and geopolitical pressures shaping the outlook.

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Digital connectivity now underpins participation in the global economy, yet nearly half the world remains underserved, with market incentives alone failing to close gaps in infrastructure. This panel featuring Paul Garnett (Vernonburg Group), Carlos Rey-Moreno (Association for Progressive Communications), and Alessandra Lustrati (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), with moderation by Jochai Ben-Avie (Wisteria Strategies), discusses how democratic countries can better leverage their strengths to expand connectivity, drawing upon a project from the Democracy + Technology Initiative that makes the case for the United States and its partners to prioritize connectivity as a strategic and economic imperative.

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Europe is advancing joint financing efforts to support growth, defense, and strategic investment, carving out a larger role for the European Investment Bank. Nadia Calviño, president of the European Investment Bank, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on Europe’s financing priorities and the evolving role of public investment in the European Union.

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In this discussion, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Dane Johnston discusses how the United States can leverage its leadership on multimodal trade routes such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to catalyze economic integration, trade, and interconnectivity.

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Pakistan faces a pivotal moment as it advances economic reforms while managing fiscal pressures and global uncertainty. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan's minister of finance and revenue, joins the Atlantic Council to discuss the country's reform agenda, priorities for sustainable growth, and how Pakistan is navigating an increasingly volatile global trade environment. He will also address how Pakistan is financing health and development challenges in the current fiscal climate.

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Tokenized finance is increasingly moving from experimentation to adoption within critical market infrastructure. Sebastien Danloy of Euroclear joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on how tokenization is being integrated into financial systems, its implications for efficiency and resilience, and what it means for the future of global capital markets.

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Macroeconomic imbalances are a feature of the international economic system and not necessarily a cause for alarm. However, persistent and growing current account imbalances are seen by many as unsustainable and the possible cause of the next financial crisis. France has made studying the root causes and proposing solutions the core focus of its G7 presidency and the US presidency of the G20 is paying close attention. Mark Sobel and Sander Tordoir join the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Charles Lichfield on the drivers of global imbalances and their implications for economic stability, trade tensions, and policy coordination.

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EU enlargement in the Western Balkans is gaining renewed strategic importance amid geopolitical competition and shifting regional dynamics. Marta Kos, European commissioner for enlargement, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on the path forward for accession, the role of enlargement in strengthening Europe’s economic and political resilience, and the implications for the region’s integration into the European Union.

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Piero Cipollone, member of the European Central Bank's Executive Board, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on the the future of payments and the digital euro.

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Although Germany’s traditional economic model looks increasingly outdated, there is no serious reform debate in the political arena. Discussions about Germany’s relative strengths, its limitations, and possible tradeoffs of economic reform are drowned out by short-term issues and the assertion of vested interests. Based on his experience inside the German Council of Economic Experts, Jochen Andritzky provides an analysis of the underlying weaknesses and lays out a path forward.

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China’s expanding trade surplus is reshaping global imbalances and intensifying competitive pressures on producers across Europe and Asia. As export strength continues, trade tensions may rise even in a context of steady global growth. Martin Mühleisen, Joe Gagnon, and Tam Bayoumi join the Atlantic Council for a discussion on the risks of a renewed “China shock” and the implications for the global economy.

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As his term comes to a close, François Villeroy de Galhau, governor of the Banque de France, reflects on his tenure at a time of major shifting in Europe’s monetary landscape. He joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on the role of the euro, lessons from recent crises, and the evolving challenges facing central banks.

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As global trade dynamics shift, policymakers are rethinking how globalization can better support inclusive growth in the Global South. Edlayan Passos and Beth Baltzan join the Atlantic Council for a conversation on a new trade agenda that prioritizes development, inclusion, and economic resilience, and how it could shape discussions at the G20 and beyond.

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New IMF analysis examines how war and rising defense spending affect economic outcomes and how economies recover after conflict ends. Hippolyte Balima of the IMF joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation with Bart Piasecki on the implications of war and defense spending for growth, inflation, public finances, and external sector dynamics, as well as on policies that can support stronger recovery after conflict.

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Across the world, economies are working to create more and better jobs amid shifting global conditions and rapid technological change. Drawing on new World Bank Group research and country experience, development and finance leaders join the Atlantic Council to discuss how policy, investment, and private sector engagement can support job creation, improve productivity, and strengthen inclusive growth across the region.

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The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa provides new insights on growth, inflation, and external risks facing the region. Amadou Sy, assistant director in the IMF’s Africa Department, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by James Mazzarella to unpack the key signals shaping the region’s economic trajectory.

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How can Europe strengthen the international role of the euro in an era of geopolitical fragmentation and competing currency blocs? Experts discuss how euro adoption, enlargement of the euro area—including Bulgaria’s entry in 2026—and new research on countries outside the eurozone could shape the euro’s global standing and Europe’s economic resilience.

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Europe’s push toward digital payments and a potential digital euro is reshaping debates over financial sovereignty and economic resilience. Carlos Cuerpo, Spain’s minister of economy, trade, and business, joins the Atlantic Council to discuss the future of payments, the role of euro-denominated assets, and the outlook for the Spanish and European economies.

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The race for AI leadership is reshaping trade, investment, and the global economic architecture. As export controls, tariff policies, and supply chain shifts intensify, policymakers face growing trade-offs between advancing competitiveness and preserving global innovation. Kevin Allison, Ngor Luong, and Gretchen Krantz Evans join the Atlantic Council for a discussion moderated by Trisha Ray on how AI-driven industrial policy is redefining global economic integration and fragmentation.

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After a pivotal general election in February, Bangladesh, the world’s eighth most populous nation, must now navigate IMF negotiations, banking sector reforms, and broader fiscal challenges. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s finance minister, joins the Atlantic Council to discuss the country’s economic priorities, from development finance to economic reform, and its path toward sustainable growth.

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Germany is navigating a shifting economic landscape as it balances fiscal policy, growth challenges, and broader European priorities. Armin Steinbach, chief economist at the German Ministry of Finance, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Charles Lichfield on Germany’s economic outlook, policy priorities, and the implications for Europe’s economic trajectory.

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Mientras América Latina navega una economía global cambiante, una nueva ola de reformas macroeconómicas comienza a traducirse en crecimiento tangible y creación de empleo. Los ministros de Economía de Argentina y El Salvador, y los presidentes de los bancos centrales de Argentina y Paraguay, se suman al Atlantic Council, en alianza con el Banco Mundial, para una conversación sobre los resultados que están observando y las lecciones aprendidas para el desarrollo y la resiliencia de la región a largo plazo.

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A medida que América Latina navega una economía global cambiante, una nueva ola de reformas macroeconómicas está comenzando a traducirse en crecimiento tangible y creación de empleos. Ministros de finanzas de Argentina y El Salvador se unen al Atlantic Council, en asociación con el Banco Mundial, para una conversación sobre los resultados que están observando—y las lecciones para el desarrollo y la resiliencia a largo plazo de la región.

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As he steps down as director of the IMF’s African Department, Abebe Aemro Selassie reflects on the Fund’s engagement across the continent. During his tenure, Selassie helped steer countries through major shocks—including the COVID-19 pandemic—expanded access to IMF financing, and advanced efforts on debt sustainability, climate resilience, and capacity development. He joins the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center for a conversation on the evolution of Africa’s economic landscape, key lessons learned, and the priorities that lie ahead.

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A new narrative for development cooperation is being shaped that centers on the ambitions of emerging and developing countries. To succeed, these countries need a clear vision, political will, and execution capacity. Alexia Latortue and Edem Adzogenu join the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Ruth Goodwin-Groen on the shifts taking place in development cooperation and what they convey about the role of countries in advancing their own development progress and in engaging in multiple, diverse partnerships.

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping investment patterns, productivity, and the pace of technological diffusion across economies. Marcello Estevao, managing director and chief economist at the Institute of International Finance, and Hung Tran, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center, have a discussion on how AI could influence potential growth and global economic dynamics.

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Moldova is looking to advance its economic integration and digital transformation while strengthening resilience in a challenging regional environment. Anca Dragu, governor of the National Bank of Moldova, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Charles Lichfield on the country’s reform priorities, financial stability, and the role of digitization in supporting sustainable growth.

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Stablecoins and tokenization are entering a new phase as regulatory frameworks evolve and institutional adoption accelerates. Coinbase's Faryar Shirzad and WilmerHale's Tiffany J. Smith join the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Josh Lipsky on what’s next for digital asset policy, recent regulatory developments, and the role of US leadership in shaping global standards.

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Digital assets are entering a new phase of adoption as institutions and enterprises explore their integration into global financial systems. Nilmini Rubin, chief policy officer at Hedera, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Alisha Chhangani on how blockchain innovation is reshaping cross-border payments, the interplay between digital assets and traditional infrastructure, and the challenges of ensuring interoperability across emerging systems.

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What lies ahead for the Middle East and Central Asia as the region navigates shifting economic conditions, geopolitical pressures, and structural reforms? Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Adel Hamaizia on the regional outlook, key risks, and policy priorities shaping growth and stability.

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What will the United Kingdom's new approach to foreign assistance look like? Baroness Jennifer Chapman, minister of state for international development and Africa, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on the UK’s refined priorities for financing development and working cooperatively with partners.

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Fragmentation in global payments is accelerating, driven by geopolitical tensions, competing regulatory frameworks, and rapid innovation in digital finance. Rich Verma, chief administrative officer at Mastercard; Rashad Cassim, deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank; and researcher Greg Brownstein join the Atlantic Council's Alisha Chhangani to discuss where fragmentation is emerging, what it means for cross-border payments, and how policymakers and the private sector can balance resilience and interoperability in the global financial system.

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In this rapid-fire recap, Alisha Chhangani, Jessie Yin, and Bart Piasecki of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center share their top takeaways on the themes, tensions, and trends that emerged from the spring meetings, moderated by Josh Lipsky.

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As the 2026 IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings come to a close, Josh Lipsky, Vice President, Chair of International Economics, and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center, delivers closing reflections on the key themes, policy debates, and global economic priorities that emerged over the week.

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Impact interviews

Alongside the 2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center senior fellow Jeremy Mark is joined by Vasuki Shastry, former IMF senior official and author of the book "Emerged Markets: The Global Economy's Better Half." In this Impact Interview, Vasuki breaks down the term "emerged markets," the rise of the rest and a reframing of the way international institutions categorize economies.

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Impact interview with Vasuki Shastry

As artificial intelligence and digital assets reshape financial markets, institutions are grappling with how to integrate these technologies while maintaining trust, stability, and oversight.

Jayee Koffey, Chief Global Affairs Officer at BNY, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation on how these innovations are changing the role of financial institutions, what it will take to scale them safely, and how global standards can prevent fragmentation in an increasingly complex financial system.

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Impact interview with BNY's Jayee Koffey

Barbados is advancing its economic strategy amid global financial pressures and evolving development priorities. The Hon. Ryan R. Straughn, Minister of Finance of Barbados, joins the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center's Maite Gonzalez Latorre to discuss the country’s economic outlook, fiscal priorities, and approach to sustainable growth.

In the Atlantic Council's 10-minute Impact Interviews, World Bank experts, global leaders and private sector executives join the Atlantic Council's World Bank space for focused conversations on the real-world impact of policy and multilateralism.

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Impact Interview with Barbados' Hon. Ryan R. Straughn

Romania is advancing its investment agenda while leveraging European funding to support growth and resilience. Dragoș Pîslaru, Minister of Investments and European Projects of Romania, joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Charles Lichfield on the country’s priorities for EU funds, investment strategy, and economic development in a changing European landscape.

In the Atlantic Council's 10-minute Impact Interviews, World Bank experts, global leaders and private sector executives join the Atlantic Council's World Bank space for focused conversations on the real-world impact of policy and multilateralism.

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Impact interview with Romania's Dragoș Pîslaru

At the Atlantic Council's World Bank content hub, Bahamas' Central Bank Governor John Rolle joins Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Assistant Director Maite Gonzalez Latorre to discuss how ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic shocks are impacting small, developing states and The Bahamas work at the cutting edge of central bank digital currencies.

In the Atlantic Council's 10-minute Impact Interviews, World Bank experts, global leaders and private sector executives join the Atlantic Council's World Bank space for focused conversations on the real-world impact of policy and multilateralism.

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Impact interview with The Bahamas' Central Bank Governor John Rolle

In this Impact Interview, Adam Minehardt, Head of Public Policy at Chainlink Labs, joins Atlantic Council Vice President and Chair of International Economics to talk digital assets, tokenization and regulation both at home and abroad. Chainlink is a partner of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center.

In the Atlantic Council's 10-minute Impact Interviews, World Bank experts, global leaders and private sector executives join the Atlantic Council's World Bank space for focused conversations on the real-world impact of policy and multilateralism.

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Impact interview with Chainlink's Adam Minehardt

Alongside the 2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism, joins Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center Senior Fellow Martin Mühleisen for a discussion on the outlook for Europe’s economy and the challenges shaping the region’s financial stability.

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Pierre Gramegna on Europe’s response to geopolitical turmoil

Alongside the 2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region Carlos Felipe Jaramillo joins Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center Senior Fellow Jeremy Mark for a conversation on the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific economic outlook, factors impacting growth and the impact of AI in regional supply chains.

In the Atlantic Council's 10-minute Impact Interviews, World Bank experts, global leaders and private sector executives join the Atlantic Council's World Bank space for focused conversations on the real-world impact of policy and multilateralism.

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East Asia and Pacific outlook with World Bank’s Carlos Felipe Jaramillo

Trinidad and Tobago is navigating its economic priorities amid shifting global conditions and evolving regional partnerships. The Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago joins the Atlantic Council for a conversation moderated by Jason Marczak on opportunities to strengthen economic ties with the United States, advance investment, and support sustainable growth.

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Impact interview with Trinidad and Tobago's Davendranath Tancoo

Bank briefings

In 2025, the Asian Development Bank (ABD) released the Asian Water Development Outlook 2025. This report assess water security in 50 economies in the region and provides analysis to support planning, investments, and policies.

In this Bank Briefing, Atlantic Council GeoTech Center Associate Director Emily Sespico speaks with Norio Saito, Senior Director of the Water and Urban Development Sector Office at ADB on the report's findings and the progress on water security in the region.

Access the report here: https://www.adb.org/publications/asian-water-development-outlook-2025

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Bank Briefing: The Asian Development Bank's Norio Saito on water security

At the 2025 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, World Bank Group Director of the Department of Outcomes Lisandro Martín spoke with the GeoEconomics Center's Lize de Kruijf ahead of the World Bank's release of the then-new jobs indicator in their World Bank's scorecard.

At the 2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, Lisandro shares an update on the jobs indicator and how the World Bank Group is gathering feedback on its rollout.

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Bank Briefing: The World Bank's Lisandro Martín shares an update on the WBG's jobs indicator

Alongside the 2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, Arianna Legovini, Director of the Development Impact (DIME) department at the World Bank Group, speaks with Jack Muldoon, Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center program assistant, on how AI can be used to enhance the impact of development policy and respond to crises.

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Bank Briefing: The World Bank's Arianna Legovini on AI for development and impact

In this Bank Briefing, World Bank Global Director for Fiscal Policy and Growth Manuela Francisco joins the Atlantic Council Freedom and Prosperity Center's Will Mortensen to share why an indicator measuring the impact of its projects on jobs is critical at this moment, and how the World Bank can measure something as complex as job quality.

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Bank Briefing: The World Bank's Manuela Francisco on measuring job quality

In this Bank Briefing, Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director of Global Energy Department at the World Bank Group, joins Lisa Basquel, Program Assistant at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center to discuss how multilateral development banks and the IMF can support cross-border grid financing in the face of geopolitical risks and price volatility.

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Bank Briefing: The World Bank's Demetrios Papathanasiou on grid financing amid geopolitical risks

In this Bank Briefing, President and Managing Director of TDB Group Admassu Tadesse joins the Atlantic Council Africa Center's Sarah Way for a discussion on the role of institutions like the World Bank and regional development banks in unlocking private-sector growth and job creation across African economies.

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Bank Briefing: TDB Group's Admassu Tadesse on job creation in Africa

In this Bank Briefing, Norbert Schady, World Bank Group Chief Economist for Human Development, walks Nour Daboussi, associate director of the Atlantic Council MENA Futures Lab, through key findings of the World Bank's new Human Capital Report.

Access the report here: https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/human-capital-report

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Bank Briefing: The World Bank's Norbert Schady on human capital

In this Bank Briefing, World Bank Country Director for Türkiye Humberto López speaks with Atlantic Council Eurasia Center Associate Director Andrew D'Anieri about how to combine hard infrastructure development with softer measures to make multi-modal corridors more competitive.

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Bank Briefing: The World Bank's Humberto Lopez on infrastructure development

Analysis

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Inside the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings as leaders grapple with war and supply shocks

By Atlantic Council experts

Amid war in the Middle East and an unprecedented energy shock, we sent our experts to the IMF and World Bank headquarters for their insights on the future of the global economy.

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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.