Regional development banks in the new multilateral order

The four regional development banks (RDBs)—the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Inter-American Development Bank—have a special role in the global agenda at this moment in time. They have developed specialized skills, have been at the forefront of innovation, are trusted partners of client governments, able to mobilize finance from a variety of sources, and are well positioned to support implementation at scale, especially on the immense needs for sustainable infrastructure. They are at the center of reform efforts aimed at keeping the multilateral system fit for purpose.

On October 13, the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution hosted a public event to hear from the leadership of these four institutions regarding how the RDBs have evolved and are repositioning themselves to meet new challenges related to sustainable development. Panelists also discussed the constraints and challenges they face in supporting national governments and in delivering regional public goods.