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World Bank Group

Headquarters: 1818 H Street NW., Washington, DC 20433

202-473-1000
202-477-6391
http://www.worldbank.org

PRESIDENTDavid R. Malpass
http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/leadership/managers

The World Bank Group promotes shared global prosperity and seeks to end extreme poverty.

The World Bank Group (WBG) comprises five institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). These WBG institutions work together to help developing countries find answers to tough global and local development challenges that range from climate change adaptation to food security, to fighting corruption and more.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/what-we-do

The IBRD and the IDA serve as the WBG's primary economic and social development institutions. Together, these two development banks constitute the World Bank. Donor countries and countries with borrowing rights, a total of 189 countries, support and benefit from the World Bank. The activities of the IFC, MIGA, and ICSID complement those of the IBRD and IDA.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/leadership

Sources of Information

A–Z Topics

An alphabetical list of topics helps visitors learn about the WBG's many and diverse activities.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic

Access to Information

In 2010, the World Bank adopted its landmark disclosure policy: The World Bank Policy on Access to Information. It also has undertaken numerous initiatives to inform and educate the public. These open access initiatives include Open Data, Open Finances, and Open Knowledge Repository.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/access-to-information

Blog

The World Bank posts items by featured bloggers on its website.

http://blogs.worldbank.org

Career Opportunities

The WBG typically hires people with strong academic backgrounds, a broad understanding of development issues, and international work experience. In more than 170 countries, it employees professionals who specialize in economics, education, engineering, finance, public health, and many other fields. About 40 percent of World Bank staff members work in more than 110 developing countries.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/careers

Climate Change

GAS FLARING—The World Bank's Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership is a multidonor trust fund whose purpose is to end routine gas flaring at oil production sites around the world. Participating in the partnership are governments, multilateral organizations, and oil companies.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/gasflaringreduction/about

INVESTMENT FUNDS—Since the inception of this climate finance mechanism, donor countries have contributed over 8 billion dollars in support of scaling up mitigation and adaptation action in developing and middle-income countries. The World Bank holds these public resources in trust and disburses them as grants, concessional loans, and risk mitigation instruments to recipient countries through multilateral development banks.

https://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/

MIGRATION—The World Bank report "Groundswell: Preparing for Internal Climate Migration" (2018) found that by midcentury the adverse effects of climate change in three densely populated regions of the world could force more than 140 million people to relocate within their respective countries. Concerted action, including global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and development planning, could reduce internal migration by as much as 80 percent.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2018/03/19/meet-the-human-faces-of-climate-migration

Contact Information

General information for contacting the World Bank is available on its website.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/contacts

Countries / Regions

The "Where We Work" web page allows visitors to browse WGB locations by region or country group.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/country

Data

The World Bank's website allows free and open access to global development data.

http://data.worldbank.org

The microdata library facilitates access to data collected through sample surveys of households, business establishments, and other facilities. These sets of microdata may also be derived from agricultural, housing, or population censuses or through an administrative data collection processes. The Library also contains supporting documentation from censuses and surveys that the World Bank and other international organizations, statistical agencies, and other agencies in low and middle-income countries conducted or supported.

http://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/home

Enabling Business

The World Bank Group is formulating a new approach to assessing the business and investment climate in economies around the world.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/business-enabling-environment

Food Security

On April 19, 2022, at an event that the U.S. Department of the Treasury hosted, WBG President David R. Malpass delivered remarks on “Tackling Food Insecurity: The Challenge and Call To Action." His remarks included the following paragraph: "We see a deepening of the crisis in the following numbers: The World Bank food price index reached an all-time high, rising 11.5 percent in March, a year-on-year increase of 37 percent. Fertilizer prices also surged in March, up nearly 20 percent since January. The cost of urea has tripled since January 2021. We also see a shift in relative prices, with food prices going up more than CPI. Projections show this trend continuing."

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/speech/2022/04/19/remarks-by-world-bank-group-president-david-malpass-to-the-u-s-treasury-s-event-on-tackling-food-insecurity-the-challeng

History

Founded in 1944, and not long thereafter referred to as the World Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) expanded to become a group of five development institutions. In the aftermath of World War II, IBRD loans helped countries overcome the devastation and rebuild. Over time, the Bank's focus shifted from reconstruction to development, particularly to development of infrastructure: dams, electrical grids, irrigation systems, and roads. To learn more about the inception and growth of the World Bank, visit the "History" web page.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/history

The "World Bank Group Archives" website supports the institutional memory of the World Bank Group and provides access to records of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association. The website also features online historical resources and information products: exhibits on the Archives' collection and World Bank history, General International Standard Archival Description (ISAD(G)) finding aids, and transcripts of oral history interviews.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/archives

Libraries

The Library Network is a group of libraries and resource centers that support the work of the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The libraries are located in Washington, DC; however, their services extend to resident missions and country offices.

https://library.worldbankimflib.org/en/about-us.html

News

The World Bank posts press releases and other newsworthy items on its website.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news

Open Learning Campus

The Open Learning Campus offers educational opportunities that allow diverse audiences to learn at their own pace. It helps prepare people seeking to address the tough development challenges of the 21st century.

https://olc.worldbank.org

Organizational Chart

The World Bank posts its organizational chart in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading.

http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/404071412346998230/wbg-org-chart.pdf

Partnerships

The World Bank participates in global partnerships. Visit the "Partners" web page to learn about some of them.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/partners

Podcasts

The World Bank's "All Multimedia" web page allows visitors to access a trove of podcasts on diverse topics: climate change, energy development, food, indigenous communities, immigration and forced displacement, pollution, sanitation, sustainability, tourism and more.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/multimedia?multimedia_class_exact=Audio&qterm=&lang_exact=English

Poverty / Inequality

The "Poverty and Inequality Platform" is a website that allows visitors to access the World Bank Group's most recent data on inequality, poverty, and shared prosperity.

https://pip.worldbank.org/home

Projects

The "Projects and Operations" web page allows visitors to browse or search for projects by country or area, sector, or theme.

http://projects.worldbank.org

Publications / Research

The "Open Knowledge Repository" allows users to browse and search for thousands of publications.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/reference

Social Media

FACEBOOK—The World Bank has an account.

https://www.facebook.com/worldbank

TWITTER—The World Bank tweets announcements and other newsworthy items.

https://twitter.com/worldbank

YOUTUBE—The World Bank posts videos on its channel.

https://www.youtube.com/WorldBank

Speaker's Bureau

The Speaker's Bureau serves as the official liaison between the World Bank Group and its visitors, who include business leaders, governmental representatives, students and teachers, youth organizations, and other professionals.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/speakers-bureau | Email: speakersbureau@worldbank.org

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) officially came into existence in 1944. It promotes economic, social, and environmental progress in developing nations by reducing poverty.

The Bank lends funds at market-determined interest rates, provides advice, and serves as a catalyst to stimulate outside investments. Its resources come primarily from funds raised in the world capital markets, its retained earnings, and repayments on its loans.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/what-we-do/brief/ibrd

Sources of Information

Activities and Achievements

The IBRD helps countries craft policies and shape investments, manage crises and prevent them, and create markets and access additional resources. To learn about the results of these IBRD activities, visit the "Results" web page.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/news/campaigns/2018/ibrd-results-page

Countries

The Governments of the 189 member countries own the IBRD.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/leadership/members

Organizational Chart

The IBRD and International Development Association are represented on the World Bank's organizational chart, which is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading.

http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/404071412346998230/wbg-org-chart.pdf

International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes

Headquarters: 1818 H Street NW., MSN J2-200, Washington, DC 20433

202-458-1534
202-522-2615
http://icsid.worldbank.org/en | Email: ICSIDsecretariat@worldbank.org

PRESIDENTDavid R. Malpass
Secretary-GeneralMegan Kinnear
https://icsid.worldbank.org/about/secretariat/staff

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) is an autonomous international institution and a World Bank Group affiliate that provides an independent forum for conciliation and arbitration of international investment disputes. By providing an impartial system for dispute settlement, it facilitates foreign investment. The Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals of Other States established the ICSID, setting forth its mandate, organization, and core functions. The executive directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development formulated this multilateral treaty, which entered into force in 1966, to further the World Bank's goal of promoting international investment.

The ICSID has a composite structure comprising an administrative council and secretariat. Each member state holds one seat on the Administrative Council, whose mandate is to address organizational matters related to ICSID's institutional framework. The Secretariat consists of about 70 professionals who administer arbitration and conciliation cases and support other ICSID activities.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/about/default.aspx

Sources of Information

Archives

The ICSID archives contain annual reports, events, featured videos, model clauses, and news and announcements.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/resources/Archives.aspx

Contact Information

General information for contacting ICSID is available online.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/about/Contact-us.aspx

Convention

The ICSID Convention is available in 20 languages; however, its official version is available in 3 languages: English, French, and Spanish.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/resources/ICSID-Convention-in-other-Languages.aspx

Member States

A database of ICSID member states is available online.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/about/Database-of-Member-States.aspx

Publications

The ICSID publishes specialized texts on international investment law and investment dispute resolution procedures.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/resources/ICSID-Publications.aspx

Related Websites

A list of links to public and commercial websites that may be useful for research in the field of international investment law and practice is available on the ICSID website.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/resources/Other-Related-Websites.aspx

Resources Overview

The ICSID Secretariat promotes greater awareness of the ICSID dispute settlement process and the development of international law on foreign investment by posting information resources on its website.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/Resources/default.aspx

Social Media

The ICSID tweets announcements and other newsworthy items on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/icsid

Structure

This separation of functions within the ICSID enhances impartiality and independence in the resolution of disputes.

https://icsid.worldbank.org/en/Pages/about/Structure.aspx

International Development Association

Established in 1960, the International Development Association (IDA) reduces poverty by providing loans, or "credits," and grants for programs that boost economic growth, improve living conditions, and reduce inequalities. The IDA complements the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which is the original lending arm of the World Bank. The IDA and IBRD share the same staff and headquarters and evaluate projects using the same standards.

The IDA lends money on concessional terms, which means that IDA loans, or credits, have a zero or very low interest charge and repayments extend from 25 to 38 years. The IDA also provides grants to countries at risk of debt distress. In addition to loans and grants, the IDA provides significant levels of debt relief.

http://ida.worldbank.org/about/who-we-are

Sources of Information

Articles of Agreement

The IDA's Articles of Agreement became effective in 1960. They are available online in Portable Document Format.

http://ida.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/IDA-articles-of-agreement.pdf

Climate

Climate change threatens poorer people globally, with the potential to force more than 100 million people back into poverty by 2030. The IDA is making plans to help manage this threat of enormous scope and scale.

http://ida.worldbank.org/theme/climate

Countries

Seventy-five countries are eligible to receive IDA resources.

http://ida.worldbank.org/about/borrowing-countries

A list of the approximately 50 contributor countries is available on the IDA's website.

http://ida.worldbank.org/about/contributor-countries

Crisis Financing

The IDA has a history of involvement in various aspects of crisis response, including providing financial support.

http://ida.worldbank.org/financing/crisis-financing

History

Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam launched the IDA on September 24, 1960, with an initial funding of 912.7 million dollars.

http://ida.worldbank.org/about/history

News / Publications

The IDA posts press releases and other newsworthy items online.

http://ida.worldbank.org/news

Organizational Chart

The IDA and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development are included on the World Bank's organizational chart, which is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading.

http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/404071412346998230/wbg-org-chart.pdf

Resources / Policy

Every 3 years, donors meet to replenish IDA resources and review its policy framework. The replenishment process typically consists of four formal meetings over the course of 1 year. Four IDA18 replenishment meetings were held in 2016.

http://ida.worldbank.org/financing/replenishments/ida18-overview

Results

The IDA's website features an overview of the results of the IDA's efforts in the world's poorest countries by country, theme, and topic.

http://ida.worldbank.org/results

Social Media

The IDA has a Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/IDA.WBG/?ref=nf

The IDA posts videos on its YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6A79B12D02618711&feature=plcp

International Finance Corporation

Headquarters: 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20433

202-473-7711
202-974-4384
http://www.ifc.org

PRESIDENTDavid R. Malpass
Managing DirectorMakhtar Diop
https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/CORP_EXT_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/About+IFC_New/Leadership/

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank Group institution, was established in 1956 to promote productive private enterprise in developing member countries.

The Corporation pursues its objective principally through direct debt and equity investments in projects that establish new businesses or expand, modify, or diversify existing businesses. It also encourages cofinancing by other investors and lenders.

Additionally, to developing member countries, the IFC provides advisory services and technical assistance in capital market development, corporate restructuring, foreign investment, and privatization.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/corp_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/about+ifc_new

Sources of Information

Articles of Agreement

The official version of the IFC Articles of Agreement is the English version that each member country signs. Translations of the official version are available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/CORP_EXT_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/About+IFC_New/IFC+Governance/Articles/

Bonds

In 2013, the IFC helped transform the green bond market by issuing a 1 billion dollar global benchmark green bond. The IFC is currently investing in the Green Cornerstone Bond Fund, which buys green bonds issued by banks in Africa, Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The Green Cornerstone Bond Fund is a partnership involving the IFC and the European asset manager Amundi.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2017/12/01/green-bonds

Career Opportunities

The IFC posts career opportunities.

http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/Careers_Ext_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/IFC+Careers

Climate

The IFC is increasing its climate-related investments to address climate change—a fundamental threat to development, with the potential to impact millions, threatening agricultural livelihoods, increasing the incidence of natural disasters and affecting water, energy, and food supplies.

http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/Topics_Ext_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/Climate+Business

Contact Information

General information is available on the IFC's website.

http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/corp_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/about+ifc_new/contacts

Countries

The IFC operates in more than 100 countries.

http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/corp_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/about+ifc_new/Where+We+Work

Expertise

The IFC's areas of expertise include agribusiness and forestry; financial institutions; funds; health and education; infrastructure; manufacturing; oil, gas, and mining; public-private partnerships; telecoms, media, and technology; and tourism, retail, and property.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/CORP_EXT_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/solutions/expertise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The IFC posts answers to FAQs online.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/corp_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/about+ifc_new/faqs

Funding

The IFC raises funds for lending activities by issuing debt obligations in international capital markets. IFC borrowings are diversified by country, currency, source, and maturity to enhance flexibility and cost effectiveness.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/CORP_EXT_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/About+IFC_New/IFC+Governance/Funding/

History

Opened in 1956 with $100 million in capital, the IFC has been creating jobs and raising living standards for six decades.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/CORP_EXT_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/About+IFC_New/IFC+History/

Media

The "Communications Contacts" page contains communications and public affairs contact information, as well as contact information associated with IFC accountability and the various spheres of IFC expertise and regional activity.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/NEWS_EXT_CONTENT/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/News+and+Events/Media+Contacts/

Organizational Chart

The IFC posts its organizational chart in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/7973ac004a4483708622bf10cc70d6a1/IFC+organization+chart.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Press Releases

The IFC posts press releases in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Montenegrin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tajik, Turkish, and Ukranian.

https://ifcextapps.ifc.org/ifcext/pressroom/ifcpressroom.nsf/MorePressReleases/?OpenView&Start=1&Count=25

Publications

A search tool allows visitors to search IFC publications by language, region, and topic. The advanced option allows users to refine their search by IFC department, industry, and publication type.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/publications_ext_content/ifc_external_publication_site/publications

Social Media

The IFC has a Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/IFCwbg

The IFC tweets announcements and other newsworthy items on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/IFC_org

The IFC posts videos on its YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/IFCvideocasts

Stories

The IFC posts stories highlighting the achievements of its clients who affect people’s lives in a favorable and notable way.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/NEWS_EXT_CONTENT/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/News+and+Events/News/Impact-Stories

Sustainability

The IFC partners with industry and other stakeholders to find ways that open opportunities for economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable private investment.

https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/Topics_Ext_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/Sustainability-At-IFC

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency

Headquarters: 1818 H Street NW., Washington, DC 20433

202-458-2538
202-522-0316
http://www.miga.org

PRESIDENTDavid R. Malpass
Executive Vice PresidentHiroshi Matano
https://www.miga.org/about/management

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a World Bank Group institution, was formally constituted in 1988.

Working with public and private insurers, MIGA promotes foreign direct investment in developing countries to support economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of people's lives. Due to its status as a World Bank Group institution, MIGA's guarantees protect investments against noncommercial risks and help investors gain access to funding sources with improved financial terms and conditions.

https://www.miga.org/who-we-are

Sources of Information

Access to Information

​​​​​​MIGA’s policy on accessing information defines its obligations to disclose information on itself and its activities.

https://www.miga.org/projects/access-to-information/

Career Opportunities

The MIGA advertises available positions on the World Bank's job vacancies page.

https://www.miga.org/who-we-are/careers

Contact Information

General information is available on the MIGA's website.

https://www.miga.org/contact

Convention

The "Convention Establishing the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency" went into effect on April 12, 1988. The Council of Governors amended it in 2010. The Convention is available online in Portable Document Format (PDF).

https://www.miga.org/who-we-are/miga-convention

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The MIGA posts answers to FAQs on its website.

https://www.miga.org/who-we-are/frequently-asked-questions

History

A timeline and short history of the MIGA are available on its website.

https://www.miga.org/who-we-are/history

Member Countries

The names of the 181 member countries—156 developing, 25 industrialized—are available on the MIGA's website.

https://www.miga.org/who-we-are/member-countries

News

The MIGA posts press releases on its website.

https://www.miga.org/news/press-releases

Organizational Chart

The MIGA posts its organizational chart in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading.

http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/268791412196376513/miga.pdf

Projects

The MIGA provides investment insurance, or guarantees, for projects in a variety of sectors, covering all regions of the world.

https://www.miga.org/projects

Reports

The MIGA posts its annual reports online.

https://www.miga.org/Pages/Resources/Reports/AnnualReports.aspx

Small Investment

The small investment program facilitates investment in small and medium-size enterprises that are active in the agribusiness, finance, manufacturing, and services sectors. This MIGA program has a streamlined approval process, which allows investors to acquire MIGA coverage quickly..

https://www.miga.org/investment-guarantees/small-investment-program/

The application for th​e small investment program is available online.

https://www.miga.org/Documents/SIP_Application.pdf#search=SIP%20Application

Social Media

The MIGA tweets announcements and other newsworthy items on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/miga

The MIGA posts videos on its YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/migaworldbank