The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted the Heads of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) Group on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings. The presidents of the MDBs reviewed progress on the implementation of their Viewpoint Note, plan for future goals, and reaffirmed their commitment to keep strengthening their work as a system.

The group highlighted key milestones since their last meeting on September 3, 2024, including the release of an expanded set of GEMs reports to enhance data transparency, progress on mutual reliance agreements to simplify processes and strengthen supply chain resilience, and the expansion of the digital co-financing portal to nearly 100 projects.

The group noted the significance of the G20's endorsement of the MDB Roadmap, which incorporates 14 of 16 deliverables from the Viewpoint Note, positioning MDBs as central actors in supporting countries achieving sustainable development goals and tackling regional and global challenges. The meeting also spotlighted MDBs' recent engagement at the UN General Assembly, where new opportunities to support the SDGs were explored with the UN and member countries. In this regard, the Viewpoint Note has been formally submitted to the 2025 Financing for Development International Conference next year in Seville.

Looking ahead, MDBs plan to issue a joint statement on climate at COP29 in Baku, including among others a recently finalized note on country platforms. MDBs will deepen their collaboration on nature and biodiversity indicators at COP16 in Cali, setting the stage for COP30 in Brazil. The IDB announced its participation in the G20 Global Alliance against Poverty and Hunger and encouraged others to join the global efforts to address these pressing challenges.

The Council of Europe Bank is set to assume the chairship of the Heads of MDBs Group in December, with the Asian Development Bank following in 2026. Participants decided to implement a Troika system for enhanced coordination and continuity. Heads agreed to extend their strong engagement with the G20 with the upcoming South African Presidency, while accelerating their own collaboration at the Heads level.

MDB participants in today's event were EIB, Ambroise Fayolle; IsDB, Muhammed Al-Jasser; AfDB, Akinwumi A. Adesina; ADB, Masatsugu Asakawa; IMF, Kristalina Georgieva; IDB, Ilan Goldfajn; WBG, Ajay Banga; CEB, Carlo Monticelli; EBRD, Odile Renaud-Basso; AIIB, Jin Liqun; NDB, Anil Kishora.