Inter-American Development Bank IDB
:
provides funds for economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Spoken Language: English
Business: Business and Society, Development Economics
Location
IDB Headquarters
1300 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC, Washington 20577United States
The IDB, established in 1959 to support the process of economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean, is the main source of multilateral financing in the region. The IDB Group provides solutions to development challenges by partnering with governments, companies and civil society organizations, thus reaching its clients ranging from central governments to city authorities and businesses.
The IDB lends money and provides grants. With a triple-A rating, the Bank borrows in international markets at competitive rates. Hence, it can structure loans at competitive conditions for its clients in its 26 borrowing member countries.
In addition, it also offers research, advice and technical assistance to support key areas like education, poverty reduction and agriculture. The Bank is also active on cross-border issues like trade, infrastructure and energy.
Our history
The idea of a development institution for Latin America was first floated during the earliest efforts to create an inter-American system, at the First Pan-American Conference in 1890. It would take nearly seven decades for the IDB to become a reality, under an initiative proposed by President Juscelino Kubitschek of Brazil. The Bank was formally created in 1959, when the Organization of American States drafted the Articles of Agreement establishing the Inter-American Development Bank.
The IDB has helped transform Latin America and the Caribbean. Although much remains to be done, the region's social indicators have improved significantly in such areas as literacy, nutrition and life expectancy.
- 50 years slideshow
- Historical milestones
- Annual meetings
- Annual Reports
What we do
The IDB partners with countries to combat poverty and promote social equity through programs tailored to local conditions. Working with governments as well as with the private sector, the Bank seeks to achieve sustainable economic growth, increase competitiveness, modernize public institutions, and foster free trade and regional integration.
- Priority initiatives
- Regional initiatives
The IDB uses a variety of instruments to promote development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Project Preparation Facilities
- Financial Products
- Institutes
The IDB also shares policy and technical advice to achieve sustainable growth, drawing on the expertise of specialists in fields ranging from urban development to macroeconomics. These experts publish original research and organize numerous seminars each year.
The IDB lends to national, provincial, state and municipal governments as well as autonomous public institutions. Civil society organizations and private sector companies are also eligible for IDB financing.
- Operations
- New Lending Framework, 2005-2008 (in force until 2012)
- Evaluation and Auditing
How we are organized
The IDB is headed by the Board of Governors, which delegates oversight of Bank operations to the Board of Executive Directors. Day-to-day operations are run by the management team.
Each member country appoints a governor, whose voting power is proportional to the Bank’s capital subscribed to by the country. The 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries in the IDB hold 50.02 percent of the voting power. The single largest shareholder is the United States, with 30.01 percent.
Members of the Board of Executive Directors serve three-year terms at IDB headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The President of the IDB, who is elected by the Board of Governors for a five-year term, is the institution’s chief executive officer and legal representative, responsible for the day-to-day business of the Bank. He is assisted by one Executive Vice President and four Vice Presidents.
- Board of Governors
- Board of Executive Directors
- IDB Presidency
- Management
- Bank Staff
- Organizational Structure
- IDB Departments, Offices and Sectors
- Staff Directory
- Policies
- Strategies
- Evaluation and Auditing
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