What is the Bretton Woods 2.0 project?

The Bretton Woods Institutions were created in 1944 in the hopes that stronger international economic coordination would prevent another world war. Today, more than 80 years later, these institutions need to be revitalized and reimagined for a transformed global economy.

In an era of fierce geopolitical rivalries and unprecedented crises at a global scale, there is a profound need for reforms to the world’s monetary and financial system. But how exactly? What would a Bretton Woods system look like if it first emerged today?

Featured event

On Monday, July 1, the Atlantic Council is hosting a special event marking the eightieth anniversary of the opening of the Bretton Woods Conference. This event will explore the ambitious architecture of the international financial system set out at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, how these institutions have evolved in the decades since, and where they must go next to address the range of challenges facing advanced, developing, and emerging markets.

Featured research

Featured data visualization

2024 Spring Meetings Events

At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

Econographics

Mar 1, 2024

Climate, drought, and the disrupted future of global trade

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou, Sophia Busch

Climate change threatens the efficient functioning of waterways, canals, and seaports—and therefore is a major threat to global trade.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 21, 2024

What’s on Brazil’s G20 agenda? Start by looking at where India left off.

By Mrugank Bhusari, Ananya Kumar, Pepe Zhang, Valentina Sader

As G20 foreign ministers kick off their meeting in Rio de Janeiro, expect to see the shared views of New Delhi and Brasília reflected in continuity between their G20 agendas.

Brazil Climate Change & Climate Action

Econographics

Jan 19, 2024

The IMF’s perspective on CBDCs

By Tobias Adrian

Tobias Adrian outlines the IMF’s view on CBDCs’ potential for payment systems, financial inclusion, and cross-border payments, emphasizing innovation and collaboration for effective implementation.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Jan 16, 2024

Developing an agenda for international financial institutions and central bank digital currency

By Greg Brownstein and Utsav Saksena

Is the emerging architecture appropriate, effective, and sufficient to manage the global transition to digital money? This report focuses on three domains: financial stability, development and financial inclusion, and global payment systems.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jan 16, 2024

Governance reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions

By Sienna Nordquist and Joel Christoph

The paper emphasizes the need for a governance reform roadmap at the IMF and World Bank focusing on quota reallocation, diplomatic efforts, and a commitment to diversity and democratic principles.

Economy & Business European Union

Issue Brief

Jan 16, 2024

Navigating subsidy reform at the WTO

By Sona Muzikarova and Sophia Busch

The legitimacy of the World Trade Organization is in question. The United States and its allies, and leaders in the organization, can better wield its potential to address global issues, specifically to reduce inefficiencies from fragmentation caused by subsidies.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

New Atlanticist

Jan 12, 2024

Argentina needs reforms even more than the IMF’s money

By Martin Mühleisen

Buenos Aires must take a sustained path of economic reform or face an uncertain future with prolonged misery, social hardship, and continued decline.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Econographics

Nov 8, 2023

How digitalization can improve climate resilience in the Global South

By Camilla Valente and Saffiyah Coker

Digitalization offers a novel opportunity to build climate resilience if properly supported by the Bretton Woods Institutions.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Econographics

Oct 27, 2023

The status of labor rights in US trade policy

By Uma Menon

US trade policy can advance labor rights globally through stronger enforcement mechanisms and deeper multilateral collaboration with international organizations.

China Economy & Business
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva holds up a logo for the 2023 global policy agenda at the start of a news conference during the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Econographics

Sep 19, 2023

How the IMF can make sovereign debt restructuring more effective

By Bruce Shen and Euel Kebebew

In light global debt crisis, the IMF plays crucial role in navigating complexities exacerbated by COVID-19, emphasizing transparency, incentives, and innovative financial tools for effective debt management.

China Economy & Business