Washington, April 22, 2017

Multilateral Banks to Deepen Collaboration with Private Sector to Boost Inclusive, Sustainable Infrastructure

Leaders of the top multilateral development banks (MDBs) have agreed to deepen their collaboration to encourage private sector investment in vital infrastructure needed to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the world.

Under the theme of "Delivering Inclusive, Sustainable Infrastructure," the Global Infrastructure Forum 2017 provided a venue to discuss how MDBs can best work with countries and the private sector to create markets for infrastructure projects. The forum brought together potential investors, representatives of the United Nations and the G20 with the heads of the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Inter-American Investment Corporation, International Finance Corporation, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank and the World Bank.

Basic infrastructure services – like roads, water and sewage lines, and electrical power – are scarce in many developing countries. Over one billion people live without electricity, more than 660 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water, and one in three people lack access to flushing toilets and sewerage infrastructure. In addition, countries face the urgent need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable, efficient energy sources.

With trillions of dollars in capital sitting on the sidelines earning low or even negative returns, deeper engagement with the private sector can create win-win scenarios where investors earn better returns on long-term investments and developing countries get much needed investment and expertise.

In order to fulfill commitments that countries throughout the world made to meet the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, the MDBs pledged not only to leverage their resources by joining forces to co-finance projects, but also to help generate interest among private sector investors in Public-Private Partnerships and the development of infrastructure as an asset class for institutional investors.

These pledges are included in the MDBs’ Outcome Statement, issued today at the Forum, which will be accessible at https://pppknowledgelab.org/2017giforum.

Among the speakers at the day-long event were Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, and Wolfgang Schäuble, Finance Minister of Germany, which currently chairs the G20.

Eight parallel sessions explored a variety of subjects:

• How to ensure that infrastructure meets environmental and climate change standards;
• How to help cities meet their infrastructure needs and climate objectives;
• The role of national development banks in implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency programs;
• Mobilization of private and concessional resources;
• Special challenges faced by least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries;
• Risk mitigation for emerging market infrastructure;
• Infrastructure as an asset class for institutional investors;
• How to prepare projects with an eye on costs and quality control; and constraints and opportunities for energy and economic development in Africa.

The full agenda of the Global Infrastructure Forum 2017 is available on the Forum’s website, along with a reference guide on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), country data, information on specific infrastructure sectors, key databases and other tools.

Media contacts:

Inter-American Development Bank, Geri Smith, geris@iadb.org, +1-202-340-6402

Inter-American Investment Corporation: José Luis Lobera, joseluisl@iadb.org

European Investment Bank: Shirin Wheeler, s.wheeler@eib.org, +44-7827-445611

African Development Bank: Samuel Mikenga, smikenga@afdb.org, +22520265105

Asian Development Bank: Erik Churchill, echurchill@adb.org, +63-2683-1905

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: Liyan Song, lsong@aiib.org, +86-10 8358 0035

European Bank of Reconstruction and Development: Olga Rosca, roscao@ebrd.com, +44-20-73388467

International Finance Corporation: Sheila Grandio, sgrandio@ifc.org, +1 202-907-1322

Islamic Development Bank: Muhammed Jameel Yusha’u, myushau@isdb.org, +966126466492

New Development Bank: Alexey Kosarev, kosarev.alexey@ndb.int

World Bank Group: Nadine Ghannam, nsghannam@worldbankgroup.org, +1-202-473-3011

 

Logos for Download

AIIB logo is available in JPEG and PDF format.

DOWNLOAD

Media Contact

Lingxiao He

Press Officer

+86 10 8358 0683

SEND AN EMAIL
More News Articles

Seville, July 01, 2025

Sevilla Platform of Action Launched to Scale Country-Led Financing Approaches for Sustainable Development and Climate

Amid rising debt stress, limited fiscal space and escalating climate threats, country ownership of the development process is more important than ever. At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), two initiatives were launched under the Sevilla Platform of Action (SPA) to scale country-driven approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action and coordinate international support through the Global Financing Playbook.

READ MORE

Seville, June 30, 2025

AIIB and Arab Fund Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Sustainable Infrastructure Development

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Arab Fund have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation and accelerating the delivery of sustainable infrastructure across shared priority regions.

READ MORE

Paris, June 30, 2025

African Development Bank, AIIB sign MOU renewing their collaboration on sustainable economic development for Africa

The African Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on Saturday signed an agreement strengthening their collaboration on sustainable economic development, designed to boost infrastructure development and economic opportunities across the African continent.

READ MORE

Paris, June 30, 2025

Heads of Multilateral Development Banks Commit to Strong Joint Action on Development Priorities

Heads of MDBs convene in Paris to reaffirm joint action on global development priorities and commit to reforms, enhanced coordination, and initiatives in energy, education, and water security.

READ MORE