ADFD and World Bank Group forge partnership to advance sustainable development
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development establishes framework for cooperation with World Bank Group to strengthen economic resilience and improve livelihoods across developing nations
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the World Bank Group have entered into a transformative partnership, establishing a comprehensive framework for cooperation designed to advance sustainable economic development and strengthen resilience across developing nations. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, witnessed by Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADFD, and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group.
This strategic collaboration represents a convergence of complementary capabilities and expertise. By combining ADFD’s distinctive development financing capabilities and extensive government relationships with the World Bank Group’s formidable global expertise, country-level knowledge and project-preparation capacity, both institutions will endeavour to develop a compelling pipeline of sustainable, bankable projects that deliver measurable development outcomes and tangible, long-term benefits for communities.
Focus on Critical Development Priorities
The partnership will concentrate on five key sectors of vital importance: energy transition and sustainability, water security, agriculture and food security, digital infrastructure and the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence. Through joint development initiatives, knowledge exchange and capacity building programmes, the institutions will identify and prepare projects that address the most pressing development needs of partner nations.
Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi emphasised the philosophical foundation of this partnership, noting that development finance must transcend the funding of individual projects to create lasting, measurable change in the economies and communities they serve. By aligning financing with global expertise and country-level priorities, the collaboration seeks to develop solutions that strengthen economic opportunities and support countries in addressing evolving development challenges with innovation and rigour.
Water Security and International Cooperation
Water security remains a paramount focus of ADFD’s engagement at the Annual Meetings, reflecting its commitment to advancing cooperation on shared development priorities. This emphasis gains particular significance ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which will convene in Abu Dhabi in December. Through its participation in this forthcoming international forum, ADFD will continue to champion the mobilisation of development finance and the strengthening of international partnerships to advance sustainable water solutions and build resilience in vulnerable communities.
The partnership underscores the essential role of development finance institutions in translating development priorities into bankable projects that generate genuine impact, whilst expanding access to essential services and creating meaningful economic opportunities for nations and communities seeking to build more resilient, prosperous futures.
Source: WAM