Center for Global Development

The Center for Global Development is an independent, nonpartisan think tank based in Washington D.C. and London. CGD works to reduce global poverty and improve lives through innovative economic research that drives better policy and practice by the world's top decision makers. Over the next two years, CGD will be conducting rigorous research and proposing practical solutions to drive broader mandates, better governance, and modern business models at the multilateral development banks.

Recent Posts

Evolution of the World Bank Group – A Report to Governors

March 30, 2023

Report for the April 12, 2023 Development Committee Meeting.

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The World Bank’s Future Rests on Its Next Leader

March 27, 2023

Masood Ahmed' Guest commentary on Barron's The Biden administration recently nominated Ajay Banga, the former head of Mastercard, to succeed the embattled David Malpass as president of the World Bank. Elections to the presidency of the World Bank are in reality a one-horse race for the jockey selected by the U.S., the Bank’s largest shareholder. It is nearly certain that Banga will step into the winner’s circle in a few weeks. His nomination has been generally welcomed as he meets with leaders and stakeholders around the world in his campaign. Not because [...]

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A Dual Evidence Agenda: Delivering Greater Impact for Development and Global Challenges

March 20, 2023

The World Bank’s evolution is a large part of the international response to global challenges like climate change and pandemic risks, with significant attention on amounts and sources of money. But less attention is paid to an inconvenient truth: few policymakers and experts know what works to make measurable progress against global challenges. On climate and development, for example, knowledge is sparse; demonstrating that a project or policy’s climate impact is “real, measurable and additional” remains a work in progress. Generating and using evidence is imperative to enhance both the [...]

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Reforming the World Bank to Play a Critical Role in Addressing Climate Change

March 17, 2023

The current World Bank model focuses on reducing poverty and promoting equitable growth, while considering environmental and social sustainability. Programming of resources is country-driven, and resources are allocated to programs and investments according to priorities of client government authorities. Despite the appeal of this approach and its many benefits, it has left numerous global public goods (GPGs), particularly those related to climate change, underfinanced, undermanaged, and unachieved. The resulting limited levels of investment and programs have significant global cost and, potentially, extreme ramifications. While there has been considerable reflection on [...]

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