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

Fragmentation and the role of the IMF

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
Fragmentation and the role of the IMF

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
Fragmentation and the role of the IMF

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

Mar 3, 2025

Fragmentation and the role of the IMF

By Patrick Ryan

Here's how the IMF can adapt to ensure that the international system has an effective insurance mechanism.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Testimony

Feb 25, 2025

Martin Mühleisen testifies to House Committee on Financial Services on the role of multilateral financial institutions in competition with China

By Martin Mühleisen

On February 25, Senior Fellow Martin Mühleisen testified to the House Committee on Financial Services at a hearing titled, "Examining Policies to Counter China" 

China Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 14, 2025

Event with Daleep Singh quoted by The Banker on project mBridge

Read the full article here

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2025

Experts react: What does Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement mean for global trade?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our trade experts explain how the Trump administration's plans for reciprocal tariffs could play out.

Europe & Eurasia International Financial Institutions

In the News

Feb 3, 2025

Moehr and Tannebaum cited by Axios on how the use of economic statecraft tools can lead to economic fragmentation

Read the full article

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

MENASource

Jan 31, 2025

The foreign aid freeze poses risks to US interests in Syria

By Diana Rayes 

Postwar Syria faces a precarious economic and security situation and the United States’ assistance—or lack thereof—will play an outsize role in its outcome.

Democratic Transitions Economy & Business

In the News

Jan 30, 2025

Dollar Dominance Monitor cited in Reuters on BRICS dedollarization efforts and Trump’s tariff threats

Read more here

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2025

Five big questions about the global economy in 2025

By Josh Lipsky

The answers to each of these questions will help determine the United States’ economic standing in the next twenty-five years.

China Digital Currencies

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2024

Milei’s first year ends with optimism. Can Argentina’s momentum continue in 2025?

By Ignacio Albe and Jason Marczak

For Argentina’s economic agenda to be fully realized, President Javier Milei will need to continue to pursue bold reforms while maintaining public support and market confidence in 2025.

Argentina Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2024

By the numbers: The global economy in 2024

By GeoEconomics Center experts

Our GeoEconomics Center experts take you inside the numbers that mattered—including many you may have missed—in 2024.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy
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Experts

Fellow

Aubrey Hruby

Senior Advisor

Africa Center

Economy & Business

Fellow

Natalie Jaresko

Distinguished Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine

Fellow

Frannie Léautier

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Merry Lin

Former Senior Advisor, National Economic Council, The White House

Millennium Leadership Program

China East Asia

Staff

Josh Lipsky

Chair, International Economics

GeoEconomics Center

China Digital Currencies

Fellow

Bosco Martí

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business English
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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