World Bank

Established 1944
Conceived during World War II at Bretton Woods, the World Bank initially helped rebuild Europe after the war. Its first loan was to France in 1947 for post-war reconstruction. Reconstruction has remained an important focus of the Bank's work, given the natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, and postconflict rehabilitation needs that affect developing and transition economies. Today's Bank, however, has sharpened its focus on poverty reduction as the overarching goal of all its work.

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Established 1956
The creation of IFC represented was the first step by the global community to foster private sector investment in developing nations. IFC has 179 member countries.

International Development Association (IDA)

Established 1960
Providing interest free loans with long term repayments over 35-40 years to the world poorest countries

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

Established in 1944
IBRD aims to reduce poverty in middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries by promoting sustainable development through loans, guarantees, risk management products, and analytical and advisory services.
185 member countries.

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

MIGA is a multilateral risk mitigator, promoting foreign direct investment into developing countries.

International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

Established 1966
ICSID provides facilities for the conciliation and arbitration of investment disputes between Contracting States and nationals of other Contracting States. The Centre’s objective in making such facilities available is to promote an atmosphere of mutual confidence between States and foreign investors conducive to increasing the flow of private international investment.

Inernational Monetary Fund (IMF)

Established 1944
in Bretton Woods/USA. Promotes exchange stability and orderly exchange arrangements among member countries. Monitoring of economic and financial developments. Lends to countries with balance of payments difficulties, to provide temporary financing. Provides countries with technical assistance and training in its areas of expertise. IMF work in economic research and statistics.