Multilateral Development Banks are institutions that provide financial support and professional advice for economic and social development activities in developing countries. The term Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) typically refers to the World Bank Group and four Regional Development Banks:

• The African Development Bank
• The Asian Development Bank
• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• The Inter-American Development Bank Group

These banks are characterized by a broad membership, including both borrowing developing countries and developed donor countries, and not limited to member countries from the region of a regional development bank. Each bank has its own independent legal and operational status - but with a similar mandate and a considerable number of joint owners, the MDBs maintain a high level of cooperation.

Several other banks and funds that lend to developing countries are also identified as multilateral development institutions, and are often grouped together as other Multilateral Financial Institutions (MFIs). They differ from the MDBs in a more narrow ownership/membership structure or in focusing on special sectors or activities. Among these are:

• The European Commission (EC) and The European Investment Bank (EIB)
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• The Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
• The Nordic Development Fund (NDF) and The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB)
• The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund)

A number of Sub-Regional Banks, established for development purposes, are also classified as multilateral banks, as they are owned by a group of countries (typically borrowing members and not donors). Among these are banks such as Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF); Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI); East African Development Bank (EADB); West African Development Bank (BOAD).

The World Bank Group works in partnership with the development agencies of individual countries to better coordinate aid and to more effectively achieve development goals. Work is coordinated by various committees and consultations that take place throughout the year. See the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) and the Aid Coordination Policy for more information on the Bank's work with aid coordination groups.

• Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
• Austrian Development Agency (ADA)
• Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
• Danish Development Agency (DANIDA)
• Dep't for Int'l Development Cooperation (Finland)
• Agence francaise de developpement (AfD)
• Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
• Ireland Development Cooperation
• Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KFW)
• Netherlands Development Cooperation
• New Zealand Official Development Assistance (NZODA)
• Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
• Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)
• U.K. Department for International Development (DFID)
• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

Last updated: March 2006