Member Views

2024 - An Overall Positive Start

As of January, evolving global macro-financial indicators suggest a promising beginning to 2024. This comes amidst a context where inflationary pressures are easing, affecting short-term monetary policy prospects, and where there's notable resilience to ongoing risk factors.

How multilateral development banks can deliver climate action

The 2022 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC will take place against perhaps the bleakest background in decades, from the aftermath of COVID-19 to the war in Ukraine, climate change and inflation pressures. 

25 Years of the Euro

The launch of the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1999 signifies a turning point in international economics history and to this day serves as one of the most important events of the past century, bringing with it important economic, political, and social consequences for European companies and households.

Ways to Nudge Equitable Climate Finance Forward

Last month COP27 came to a close with a historic announcement to establish a loss and damage fund, where rich countries pledge financial support to countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis.  

Richard Farber

This Member Monday we welcome new member Richard Farber, Former Alternate Executive Director for the International Monetary Fund.

Richard has served as a US representative on the Executive Board of the IMF. With over 35 years of profound expertise in capital markets and portfolio management, he is currently a Professor of Finance at Johns Hopkins University SAIS.

We appreciate his commitment and support, and we look forward to his engagement with The Bretton Woods Committee. 

SVB and Stablecoins—Time to Tighten Regulation

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and subsequent jitters at USDC shall serve as a reminder that stablecoin regulation remains far too lax. Circle, the U.S. company and issuer of USDC, a stablecoin denominated in U.S. dollar, is mostly regulated in the U.S. as a money transmitter. This is grossly insufficient for a company with US$40 billion in stablecoins outstanding. Regulation and supervision need to impose sufficient obligations for stablecoin issuers to adopt best industry practices. 

Global platforms to tackle global environmental challenges

One of the key themes in the COP28 conference in Dubai held this year is the creation of new mechanisms and platforms for financing environmental projects to counter climate change. Thus far it has mostly been about ad hoc efforts of countries to produce additional funds and contributions to the environmental cause.

Brazil’s approach to the G20: Leading by example

The Bretton Woods is pleased to Member Spotlight Hung Tran's recent article published in the Atlantic Council discussing Brazil's leadership during its G20 presidency, focusing on the initiatives it has pursued in the face of significant geopolitical tensions. Despite the challenges, Brazil has adopted a non-aligned and cooperative approach, emphasizing practical solutions and global cooperation, particularly with countries in the Global South.

How the Transatlantic Trade Agenda Can Get Its Groove Back in 2020

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald J. Trump articulated an ambitious—and familiar—trade policy agenda in Davos on January 21.  Once again, Brussels and Washington will attempt to negotiate a bilateral free trade deal. 

Can We Expect a “New Bretton Woods”?

As the world economy and its governance structure continue to evolve at an accelerating rate, calls for reform of multilateral institutions are growing louder.