International Financial Institutions

International financial institutions, such as the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, are a key pillar of the rules-based international order. These institutions facilitate multilateral solutions for today’s most pressing economic opportunities and risks. Bi-annual IMF/World Bank meetings also provide the Atlantic Council the opportunity to convene global policy makers to discuss the most pressing economic and societal challenges.

Featured Analysis

Three next steps for the EU’s approach to economic security

New Atlanticist Oct 7, 2025

How a weaker US dollar can help debt-burdened African countries

By Bart Piasecki

Trump’s drive to weaken the US dollar is having global side effects. For some African countries, it is helping to ease immediate fiscal pressures.
Africa Fiscal and Structural Reform
Three next steps for the EU’s approach to economic security

New Atlanticist Aug 4, 2025

Trump’s review of US membership in the IMF offers a rare chance for reform

By Martin Mühleisen

The institution needs its major shareholders aligned to tackle new challenges, and it deserves a management team qualified to lead it on this new path.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
Three next steps for the EU’s approach to economic security

Econographics May 12, 2025

Multilateralism under pressure: Takeaways from the 2025 IMF Spring Meetings

By Bart Piasecki

The 2025 IMF Spring Meetings unfolded against a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rising doubts about the future of multilateral cooperation. Here are the key insights.
International Financial Institutions Macroeconomics

Content

Building with EU flags

Econographics

Dec 19, 2023

Three next steps for the EU’s approach to economic security

By Elmar Hellendoorn

The EU’s Strategy on Economic Security, published this summer, was the first official effort to present a more coherent view on the European policy approach at the intersection of economics and geopolitics. In the end, however, the EU's approach to economic security can only be successful if it is tied to Europe's long-term political objectives.

European Union Eurozone

In the News

Dec 19, 2023

Goldin quoted by Axios on higher interest rates and global debt costs

Read the full article here.

Fiscal and Structural Reform Inclusive Growth

In the News

Dec 13, 2023

Dollar Dominance Monitor cited by Axios China on de-dollarization

Read the full article here.

China International Financial Institutions

In the News

Dec 4, 2023

Goldin and Bhusari cited by the Observer Research Foundation on positive economic statecraft

Read the full article here.

International Financial Institutions Macroeconomics

In the News

Dec 4, 2023

Head of BIS Innovation Hub Cecilia Skingsley’s remarks cited in Coingeek on the new future of money project

Read the full piece here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

In the News

Dec 3, 2023

Hellendoorn writes op-ed for NRC on European security

Read the full article here.

Eastern Europe Economy & Business

In the News

Dec 1, 2023

IMF Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department Tobias Adrian quoted by Payments Journal on the IMF’s proposed XC platform

Read the full post here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

In the News

Dec 1, 2023

CBDC Tracker cited by the BBC on the the development of a digital pound

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies International Financial Institutions

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2023

Milei is backing away from his radical dollarization idea. What options does Argentina have? 

By Martin Mühleisen

The incoming president’s campaign pledge to move Argentina to the US dollar seems less and less likely in the near term.

Argentina Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2023

The future of digital currencies depends on interoperability. How can it be achieved?

By Daniel Hojnacki

When it comes to the future of digital currencies, interoperability is top of mind for governments and financial institutions.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Nizar El Fakih

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Corruption Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Georg Philipp Ettstaller

Director and Investment Banker, Credit Suisse Securities

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Advisory Council member

Michael Fisch

Chairman, Freedom and Prosperity Center Advisory Council

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Advisory Council member

Helga Flores Trejo

Vice President, Special Envoy Multilateral & Sustainability Affairs, Bayer

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Brazil Economy & Business

Fellow

Ruth Goodwin-Groen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Fellow

Elmar Hellendoorn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Defense Policy Dutch
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Events

Online Event Mon, April 13, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings at the Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council hosts a series of special events with finance ministers and central bank governors from around the globe during the 2026 spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions