Revitalizing Global Finance: The Role of Bretton Woods Institutions

Established 80 years ago in July 1944, the Bretton Woods institutions were born during a time when many developing nations had yet to achieve independence. Despite their historical shortcomings, these two institutions remain vital avenues through which European nations can mobilize climate and development finance for low- and middle-income countries, thereby advancing Europe’s own climate objectives.

The World Bank, often simply referred to as ‘The Bank,’ holds a unique position within the international financial system. Its core mission—leveraging shareholder capital, borrowing on international capital markets, and subsequently lending at low rates to developing nations—is both effective and unparalleled. Since its inception in 1944, the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has garnered $19 billion (€17.7 billion) from its shareholders, transforming this amount into over $800 billion (€744.9 billion) in loans. While regional development banks, such as the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank, contribute significantly, none match the lending capacity of the World Bank.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the primary critique of the Bank revolved around its imposition of detrimental policy conditions on borrowing countries. However, the dialogue has evolved; now, activists and leaders from the global South are demanding more of what the Bank has to offer, perceiving it as too limited and slow to adequately address the contemporary challenges posed by climate change and geopolitical fragmentation.

A Case for a Mutually Beneficial Partnership

This demand became evident during an African Heads of State meeting in April, where leaders advocated for an unprecedented replenishment of $120 billion (€111.7 billion) for the World Bank’s concessional lending arm, the International Development Association (IDA). IDA is crucial for nations that have minimal access to capital markets, leveraging each dollar donated to generate $3.5, while supporting locally owned systems and providing the flexibility necessary to respond to crises. Despite these evident advantages, Africa continues to struggle with a lack of access to affordable capital. Conversely, Europe, facing a rapidly aging population, possesses financial resources that Africa desperately needs.

The pressing climate and development finance requirements of developing countries (excluding China) are projected to reach approximately $1 trillion (€931.1 billion) annually by 2030. This scenario creates a significant opportunity for a mutually beneficial partnership between Europe and Africa. Africa is rich in natural resources, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential, as well as vital minerals and forests. Additionally, the continent boasts a burgeoning workforce, represented by the world’s youngest population. Yet, despite these advantages, Africa’s access to affordable capital remains limited.

It’s Also About a Rules-Based Order

Failure to mobilize this essential finance could lead Africa’s expanding population to adopt a development trajectory heavily reliant on fossil fuels, ultimately locking in detrimental emissions. Such a scenario would jeopardize global, African, and European goals regarding climate change. However, the rationale for European investment in the World Bank extends beyond development impact alone; geopolitics plays a significant role as well.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue to serve as one of the few functional platforms for multilateral cooperation. For developed nations intent on upholding the ‘rules-based order’—a framework that developing countries often perceive as misaligned with their needs—the Bretton Woods institutions exemplify how the current system can still provide benefits to them. In a world where the UN Security Council often experiences paralysis and the World Trade Organization struggles for relevance, the Bretton Woods institutions remain dedicated to addressing critical development challenges globally, unmatched by any other organization.

The Tools Are Available, The Moment is Now

To harness these opportunities effectively, European nations should concentrate on two pivotal policies aimed at maximizing financing from the Bretton Woods institutions. First, they must support the ongoing replenishment of IDA to achieve its fundraising objectives. The concessional lending arm offers exceptional value for money yet risks falling short of its fundraising targets this year. An underfunded IDA would severely limit climate financing for low-income countries at a time when it is most needed. As significant donors to IDA, European countries must take decisive action to avert this funding shortfall.

Second, European nations should ensure that the anticipated reallocation of $100 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to developing countries is actualized. Although the target has been nominally met, the deployment of these funds has been sluggish. With one final push, the IMF can begin to utilize SDRs at scale to address key challenges. This involves funding subsidies for the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust while advocating for expanded eligibility criteria for the Resilience and Sustainability Trust. Furthermore, the European Central Bank should authorize the reallocation of its SDRs into hybrid capital instruments, which can leverage SDRs more effectively than the existing two IMF trusts.

European nations possess the necessary tools to drive reforms within the Bretton Woods institutions. In this critical year for climate finance, the opportunity to enhance the World Bank and IMF’s capacity to deliver climate financing to developing nations is ripe for the taking.

David McNair is the Executive Director of the ONE Campaign and a Council Member of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Ameer Chughtai is a Visiting Fellow at ECFR.

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