International Financial Institutions

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

Breaking down China and India’s race to represent the Global South

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
Breaking down China and India’s race to represent the Global South

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
Breaking down China and India’s race to represent the Global South

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

Econographics

Oct 20, 2023

Breaking down China and India’s race to represent the Global South

By Hung Tran

The divergences between them will define geopolitics.

Economy & Business G20

UkraineAlert

Oct 19, 2023

War risk insurance can contribute to Ukrainian victory over Putin’s Russia

By Yulia Svyrydenko

War risk insurance can play a key role in helping Ukraine to achieve victory on the economic front of the war with Russia, writes Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko.

Conflict Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 16, 2023

Lipsky quoted by Reuters on the challenge of dealing with geopolitical shocks in global economics

Read the full article here.

Conflict International Financial Institutions

In the News

Oct 16, 2023

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cited by the Financial Times on an increase to IMF funding

Read the full article here.

China European Union

In the News

Oct 15, 2023

Tran cited by South China Morning Post on the IMF and World Bank’s role in a changing world with decreased free trade

Read the full piece here.

International Financial Institutions

In the News

Oct 10, 2023

Mühleisen quoted by the Financial Times on the US’ ability to pressure countries into IMF compliance

Read the full article here.

International Financial Institutions United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2023

Go behind the scenes as financial leaders gather in Marrakesh for the IMF-World Bank meetings

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts are on the ground in Morocco to gauge whether global financial leaders can get the world on a trajectory toward ending poverty and attaining sustainable growth.

Africa Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2023

The United States just sent a strong message to the IMF

By Martin Mühleisen

A recent speech by a US Treasury Department official gave a tough appraisal of the IMF and its leadership. Martin Mühleisen explains what is behind the Biden administration’s change of tone.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Issue Brief

Oct 9, 2023

How the IMF can navigate great power rivalry

By Hung Tran

Fragmentation resulting from geopolitical competition between large economies is posing a serious challenge to the fulfillment of IMF's core missions. Here's how it can respond.

China Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Oct 9, 2023

Reimagining Africa’s role in revitalizing the global economy

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The African continent potential to revitalize the world economy and reverse the downward trend in global growth. However, for this to materialize, it needs substantial investments in its physical and social infrastructure.

Africa China
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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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