RoundtablewithWorldBankVicePresidentAkihikoNishio:MobilisingDevelopmentFinanceinaChangingGlobalLandscape

On 10 July 2026, Global Neighbours hosted an exclusive roundtable in Vienna with Akihiko Nishio, Vice President for Development Finance at the World Bank, bringing together senior representatives from international organisations, diplomatic missions, academia, financial institutions, and the private sector to discuss the future of development finance and international cooperation.

The discussion was opened by Dr. Philipp Rösler, Secretary General of Global Neighbours, who welcomed participants and highlighted the organisation's mission of fostering dialogue and partnerships between Europe, Asia, and beyond.

In his keynote address, Mr. Nishio provided an overview of the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessional financing arm for low-income countries. He explained how IDA has evolved into an innovative financing platform that combines donor contributions with capital market borrowing, significantly increasing its ability to mobilise resources for sustainable development. Drawing on the examples of China and the Republic of Korea, he illustrated how long-term investment and international partnership can support countries in progressing from aid recipients to global development partners.

The discussion also addressed the growing challenges facing development finance, including geopolitical fragmentation, declining official development assistance, and the increasing need to mobilise private capital. Mr. Nishio highlighted IDA's role in supporting fragile and conflict-affected states, expanding access to energy, strengthening climate resilience, and creating conditions that enable private sector investment through innovative risk-sharing mechanisms.

A significant part of the exchange focused on Central Asia, reflecting the region's growing strategic importance. Participants discussed opportunities for cross-border infrastructure, sustainable energy cooperation, regional connectivity, and artificial intelligence. Mr. Nishio noted that the upcoming IDA22 replenishment launch in Tashkent will highlight Uzbekistan's reform progress while underscoring Central Asia's increasing role in the global development agenda. Discussions also explored how multilateral institutions can facilitate regional cooperation through large-scale projects that generate shared economic benefits.

Akihiko Nishio und Dr. Vladimir Norov

The roundtable concluded with an engaging discussion on the future of multilateral development finance in an increasingly multipolar world. Participants highlighted the growing contribution of non-traditional donor countries, the importance of closer cooperation between international financial institutions, governments, and the private sector, and the need to broaden development partnerships beyond traditional funding models.

Closing the event, Siddharth Chatterjee, CEO of Global Neighbours, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to strengthening international dialogue and welcomed opportunities for deeper collaboration with the World Bank. He invited Mr. Nishio and his colleagues to participate in Tracks to the Future, Global Neighbours' flagship initiative connecting Europe, Central Asia, and China, as well as future Global Neighbours events dedicated to advancing international cooperation and sustainable development.

The roundtable reaffirmed the shared conviction that addressing today's global challenges requires innovative financing, trusted partnerships, and sustained dialogue across regions. Global Neighbours looks forward to continuing its cooperation with the World Bank and its international partners in support of a more resilient, inclusive, and interconnected global development agenda.