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

Lipsky quoted in Reuters on G20 protests over Russia

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
Lipsky quoted in Reuters on G20 protests over Russia

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
Lipsky quoted in Reuters on G20 protests over Russia

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

In the News

Apr 19, 2022

Lipsky quoted in Reuters on G20 protests over Russia

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Apr 18, 2022

Chamlou joins VOA Farsi to discuss Iran’s recent economic developments with the IMF and World Bank

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Farsi

In the News

Apr 18, 2022

ACFrontPage event with Secretary Yellen the subject of article in Bloomberg

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

ACFrontPage

Apr 18, 2022

Opinion piece by Rana Foroohar in the Financial Times cited the GeoEconomics ACFrontPage event with Secretary Yellen

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

UkraineAlert

Apr 14, 2022

The world must not allow Putin to bankrupt Ukraine into surrender

By Peter Dickinson

Russian war crimes in Ukraine have shocked the world but the systematic damage being done to the Ukrainian economy is also an important element of Putin's invasion that requires urgent international attention.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 13, 2022

Janet Yellen’s message to the world: There can be no ‘sitting on the fence’ on Russia

By Nick Fouriezos

The US secretary of the treasury joined the Atlantic Council ahead of next week's IMF and World Bank meetings to address Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the economic fallout for the developing world.

China Climate Change & Climate Action

New Atlanticist

Apr 13, 2022

Transcript: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on the next steps for Russia sanctions and ‘friend-shoring’ supply chains

By Atlantic Council

Yellen appeared at an Atlantic Council Front Page event ahead of the IMF and World Bank meetings to discuss the global response to Russia's war, inflation, and more.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Apr 12, 2022

Economic and financial multilateralism in disarray 

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Multilateral development banks and multilateral financial institutions have grown in number. This could be a blessing and a curse.

Africa Americas

Econographics

Apr 11, 2022

“Inequality starts at the top”: Voting reforms in Bretton Woods Institutions

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Full democratization of BWIs is not realistic. A more pragmatic approach would work towards a “double majority” system.

Africa Americas

Econographics

Apr 11, 2022

Democratic challenges at Bretton Woods Institutions

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Voting quotas at Bretton Woods Institutions continue reflecting the 1944 power structure, despite significant changes to the global economy.

Africa Americas
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Experts

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Rabah Arezki

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Ridhika Batra

Nonresident Senior Fellow, India

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Sarah Bauerle Danzman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Fellow

Emilie Bel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Jérémie Bertrand

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business English
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Events

Public Event Tue, April 7, 2026 • 11:30 am ET

Ajay Banga on the World Bank Group’s jobs agenda and global development

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group, discusses the World Bank Group’s role in supporting job creation and economic development in a fast-changing global economy.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
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