About the World Bank

SPOTLIGHT: ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS

• Development Economics Vice Presidency

  The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) seeks to increase understanding of development policies and programs by providing intellectual leadership and analytical services to the Bank and the development community.

• The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

  The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) lends to governments of middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.

• The International Development Association

  The International Development Association (IDA) provides interest-free loans — called credits — and grants to governments of the poorest countries.
• Together, IBRD and IDA make up the World Bank.

• The International Finance Corporation

  The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. We help developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, mobilizing capital in international financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments.

• The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency

  The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) was created in 1988 to promote foreign direct investment into developing countries to support economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve people’s lives. MIGA fulfills this mandate by offering political risk insurance (guarantees) to investors and lenders.

• The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes

  The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) provides international facilities for conciliation and arbitration of investment disputes.