This weekend's summit of leading world economies won't match the scope of the Bretton Woods conference, to which it has been compared. But it could send important signals at a time of global economic distress.

A mounting food crisis threatens grave consequences for the world’s poor. Experts blame rising oil prices and self-interested agricultural policies.

A South American development bank proposed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is likely to go forward, but not as he envisioned it.

Paul Wolfowitz resigns as World Bank president, leaving an uncomfortable legacy and pressing questions about the Bank’s future.

Paul Wolfowitz is mired in scandal, but a broader tug-of-war over the World Bank’s flagging influence overshadows the alleged sins of its president.

Former Pentagon official Paul Wolfowitz is now reveling in the role of reformer at the World Bank, where he has made corruption a major theme of his first year as chief. But fighting corruption, like building democracy, may be the work of generations.

Michael A. Levi and Katherine Michonski discuss the consequences of the World Bank's refusal to fund a controversial coal-fired power plant in South Africa.

Sebastian Mallaby explains why the next World Bank president should continue the campaign against corruption in developing countries established by Paul Wolfowitz.

World Bank's Justin Yifu Lin outlines how domestic policies such as reduced capital outflow and increased investment in infrastructure, can hinder a rapid recovery for the global economy.

James D. Wolfensohn, chairman of Wolfensohn & Company, LLC, reflects on the highlights of his career including how his career began, his tenure as president of the World Bank, and the importance of community development.

A panel of experts discuss how various international institutions such as the G20, IMF, and World Bank are playing a role in today's system of global economic governance.

This session is part of a Council on Foreign Relations symposium on Rising Powers and Global Institutions in the Twenty-First Century and was made possible through generous support from the Robina Foundation.

Listen to Justin Yifu Lin, chief economist and senior vice president at the World Bank, discuss how stimulus measures may be applied to boost global demand, taking into account the challenges such efforts face in poor nations, emerging economies, and wealthy countries alike.

Listen to experts analyze the effect of the financial crisis on developing countries' economies and the roles that the IMF and World Bank play during this time.

Since its founding in 1944, the World Bank has evolved from a lender focused on European reconstruction into the preeminent international institution for economic development and poverty reduction. This Backgrounder examines the Bank's history and role.

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing the largest urban growth in the world, but most development efforts continue to target rural communities.

The World Bank, flagship of the world’s international development funds, faces questions about its relevance as a scandal topples its president and a series of smaller challengers sap its authority.

The World Bank, a U.S.-led oil consortium, and Chad's government came together for a pipeline plan that was hailed as a new model to help developing nations escape poverty and avoid corruption. But unstable Chad's decision to modify the agreement to buy arms threatened to doom the arrangement.