The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is a specialized agency under the United Nations and an international financial institution responsible for long-term loans. The World Bank was established in accordance with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Agreement adopted at the Bretton Woods Conference in the United States in 1944. The purpose of the World Bank is to provide funds for the revival and development of member countries through production investment; Promote foreign investment and human investment through loan guarantee or participation in loans and other forms of investment. When member countries cannot obtain private capital under reasonable conditions, they will give direct loans to member countries with the World Bank's own funds or raised funds and other funds under appropriate conditions to supplement the shortage of private investment; By encouraging international investment, developing the production resources of member countries, providing technical advice and improving production capacity, we can promote the balanced growth of international trade and improve the balance of payments of member countries.

According to the purpose of the World Bank, its main business activities are to provide long-term loans to developing member countries, to provide loans and technical assistance to member governments or private enterprises guaranteed by governments, and to finance the construction of some construction projects with long construction period and low profit rate, which are necessary for the country's economic and social development.

The World Bank cooperates with the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finane Corporation, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) to form the World Bank Group.

In 2004, the World Bank provided US$ 206,543,800 billion to 245 projects in developing countries, bringing them funds and/or expertise to help them reduce poverty.

We live in a rich world, and the global annual income has exceeded 3 1 trillion dollars. In this world, the per capita annual income of some countries is above $40,000. However, in the same world, there are 2.8 billion people (more than half of the population in developing countries) whose per capita annual income is less than 700 dollars. Among them, 65.438+0.2 billion people earn less than $ 654.38+0 per day.

As a result, 33,000 children die every day in developing countries. In these countries, more than one woman of each race died in childbirth. Poverty prevents more than 65.438 billion children from attending school, most of whom are girls.

While the population is increasing (it is estimated that the population will increase by 3 billion in the next 50 years), it is a great challenge to reduce the poverty level.

The World Bank is trying to narrow this gap and turn the resources of rich countries into economic growth of poor countries. As one of the largest providers of development assistance in the world, the World Bank supports the efforts of governments in developing countries to build schools and hospitals, supply water and electricity, prevent and treat diseases and protect the environment.

It's not a bank, it's a specialized agency. The World Bank is not a "bank" in the general sense, but one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, with 184 member countries. These countries are jointly responsible for the financing and use of World Bank funds. The World Bank, together with the entire development association, is focusing its work on achieving the new Millennium Development Goals and sustainable poverty reduction achieved by United Nations Member States in 2000.

The name "World Bank" has been used to refer to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). These institutions jointly provide low-interest loans, interest-free credits and grants to developing countries.

About 65,438+0,000 development professionals work in the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C. and its representative offices in 65,438+0,009 countries.

9 billion dollars of funds. Low-income countries in the world are usually unable to raise funds from the international capital market, or can only borrow at high interest rates. In addition to donations and loans directly provided by developed countries, these countries also receive grants, interest-free loans and technical assistance from the World Bank to enable them to provide basic services. The loan period of the World Bank is 35 to 40 years with a grace period of 65,438+00 years.

In fiscal year 2004, IDA provided $9 billion for 158 projects in 62 low-income countries.

Interest-free credit and grants come from the International Development Association, which is the largest source of preferential funds in the world. About 40 rich countries provide such assistance in the form of donations every four years. The latest capital increase was in 2002, with donor countries providing nearly $9 billion and the World Bank providing $6.6 billion. At that time, donor countries agreed to increase the use of IDA grants, up to 265,438+0% of the total funds, to solve some special difficulties, such as AIDS in the poorest countries and the most vulnerable countries.

Loans from the International Development Association account for about a quarter of the World Bank's financial assistance. Except for the funds of the International Development Association, almost all the income of the World Bank is not provided by its member countries.

1 1 billion USD loan. High-income developing countries. Some of them can borrow money from commercial channels, but the interest rate is usually high. They can get loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The repayment period of IBRD loans is much longer than that of commercial bank loans. The repayment period of IBRD loan is 15 to 20 years, and the grace period before repayment of principal is 3 to 5 years. Governments in developing countries borrow money for specific projects, including poverty alleviation, providing social services, protecting the environment and promoting economic growth conducive to improving living standards. In fiscal year 2004, IBRD provided a loan of 1 1 billion dollars to support 87 projects in 33 countries.

Raise funds. Almost all the funds of IBRD are raised from the international financial market (the amount raised in fiscal year 2004 was $654.38+0.3 billion). The World Bank with AAA credit rating raises funds by issuing bonds and then lends them to its borrowing countries at low interest rates.

World Bank Group. In addition to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, the World Bank Group has three other institutions. IFC promotes the development of the private sector by providing support to high-risk sectors and countries. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) provides political risk insurance (guarantee) to investors and lenders in developing countries. ICSID resolves investment disputes between foreign investors and host countries.

Global products. In the past few years, the World Bank has invested a lot of manpower and material resources in activities aimed at having a global impact. One of the products is debt relief. According to the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, 26 poor countries have received debt relief, which will save these countries $46,543.8 billion. These countries can use debt service savings to provide housing, education, medical care and welfare projects for the poor.

The World Bank has established an unprecedented global partnership with 189 countries and many institutions to eradicate poverty. The new Millennium Development Goals clearly stipulate the goals to be achieved before 2065-2005 in terms of enrollment rate, infant mortality rate, medical care for pregnant women and access to clean water.

Together with many other global partners, the World Bank has made the fight against HIV/AIDS its top agenda. The World Bank is the largest long-term funding provider for HIV/AIDS projects. At present, the World Bank has promised to provide $654.38+03 billion for HIV/AIDS, half of which will be used for projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

Corruption and fraud. The World Bank cooperates with other countries to fight corruption, and the World Bank has various mechanisms to prevent corruption and fraud in World Bank loan projects. Institutional Integrity Department has a 24-hour hotline for corruption and fraud: 1-800-83 1-0463.

Down-to-earth work in many ways. So far, the World Bank has participated in more than 65,438+0,800 projects, covering almost all sectors and all developing countries. Its diversified projects include providing micro-credit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, raising awareness of AIDS in relevant communities in Guinea, supporting girls' education in Bangladesh, improving medical services in Mexico, helping East Timor to rebuild after independence, and helping Gujarat in India to rebuild after a severe earthquake.

The term of office of the President of the World Bank is five years.