The Study
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), with support from the Center for Global Development (CGD), recently concluded a study titled ‘How Relevant is the Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Reform Discourse for Southern MDBs? Evidence from Country-Level Practices’. This study focuses on how Southern MDBs can be more effective in supporting graduating Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) in the era of the poly-crisis. In this context, Southern MDBs are MDBs of Southern origin and outside the purview of the Bretton Woods Institutions, such as Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). This study examines why Bangladesh and Nepal, as two graduating LDCs, may find Southern MDBs to be suitable development partners in the context of the poly-crisis and what are the key reforms to be considered by them.
The Validation Meeting
As part of this study, a validation meeting was held on Monday, September 2, 2024. Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, CPD, moderated the session, while Ms Najeeba Mohammed Altaf, Senior Research Associate, CPD delivered the keynote presentation. The purpose of the meeting was two-fold: to present key findings from the study and to validate proposed reforms for Southern MDBs from the LDC perspective. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including government officials, public representatives, Southern and Legacy MDBs representatives, academics, think tank experts, and other specialists from Bangladesh and Nepal.
The Broader Project
This project is part of a broader research programme led by CGD, with Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya leading the research. The team also includes Mr Towfiqul Islam Khan, Senior Research Fellow, CPD; Ms Najeeba Mohammed Altaf; and Ms Mamtajul Jannat, Research Associate, CPD.