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

Expanding Syria’s multilateral development bank engagement

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
Expanding Syria’s multilateral development bank engagement

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
Expanding Syria’s multilateral development bank engagement

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

Issue Brief

Sep 22, 2025

Expanding Syria’s multilateral development bank engagement

By Basil Kiwan

Estimates of Syria’s post-civil war cost of rebuilding range from $250 billion to $400 billion. To help finance reconstruction and development, Syria’s transitional government should expand its partnerships with international financial institutions (IFIs) and multilateral development banks (MDBs), as these institutions can play a key role in mobilizing global capital.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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

AfricaSource

Jun 27, 2025

In Seville, leaders have an opportunity to tackle systemic global inequality. Will they take it?

By Hippolyte Fofack

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at the global level increasingly depends on progress being made in Africa.

Africa Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2025

Seven charts that will define Canada’s G7 Summit

By Atlantic Council

Our experts provide a look inside the numbers that will frame the high-stakes gathering of Group of Seven leaders in Alberta.

China Digital Policy

In the News

May 21, 2025

Kumar quoted by AFP on how Trump is shaping US ties with G7 countries

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

May 21, 2025

Kumar quoted in Hindustan Times on the role of US trade negotiations in calming G7 uncertainty

Read the full article

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

In the News

May 20, 2025

Kumar quoted by AFP on how Trump’s tariffs are weighing on the G7 finance ministers’ summit

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

May 20, 2025

Tannebaum interviewed by Bloomberg on President Trump’s call with Putin and how the US can pressure Russia

Listen to the full interview here

Financial Regulation Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

May 20, 2025

Lichfield quoted in NYT on how the G7 finance ministers’ summit may unfold

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

May 19, 2025

Lichfield quoted in Reuters on tariff discussions at the G7 finance ministers’ summit

Read the full article here

Economy & Business European Union
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Experts

Fellow

Marc-Olivier Strauss-Kahn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Ingrid Tierens

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Inclusive Growth International Financial Institutions

Fellow

Hung Tran

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

China Economy & Business

Fellow

Howard Wachtel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Human Rights

Fellow

Rama Yade

Senior Director, Africa Center

Africa Center Europe Center

Civil Society Human Rights

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