Belgium makes its voice heard in the fight against poverty

During the Spring Meetings (April 2025) of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Belgium advocated for effective and inclusive multilateralism. Needy and fragile countries in particular deserve attention, while ensuring we maintain a strong commitment to climate action and gender equality.

Twice a year - in spring and autumn - the member states, also known as shareholders, of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund meet. The most recent spring meeting took place from 21 to 26 April 2025 and focused on the theme: jobs, a path to prosperity.

Now that the multilateral, rules-based order is under threat, these meetings are becoming ever more important. It was therefore good news that this spring meeting underscored the significance of multilateralism, or cooperation through international organisations. The sentiment was that multilateralism plays a crucial role in global stability precisely because it promotes collaboration, shared responsibility, and respect for international norms.

Fragile states

The focus was on combating poverty and enhancing economic resilience in a global environment where uncertainty seems to be the only certainty. These are in fact the core tasks of the World Bank. As a shareholder, Belgium seeks to establish the most effective and efficient partnership possible with this financial institution. Every euro must make a real difference, especially in a context of scarce resources.

We also know that by 2030, nearly 70% of those affected by extreme poverty will be living in fragile, unstable countries. That is where the need is the greatest. We therefore choose to focus on enhanced cooperation between public institutions and the private sector in these areas, as this fosters greater stability, which is crucial for job growth and prosperity. Together with our African partners, Belgium organised a well-attended event to highlight this importance.

Additionally, high-level meetings took place between the Belgian delegation, led by Finance Minister Jan Jambon, and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, and Anna Bjerde, who is responsible for all operations within the World Bank Group.

Doing more with less

For the first time in six years, Belgium was also represented in the Development Committee, the key ministerial meeting that shapes the policy for the upcoming period. In these turbulent times, it is crucial to emphasise the role of the World Bank Group as a leading development bank. Our country continues to promote the course it has taken: one of effectiveness and a complementary approach to tackling poverty on one hand, and global challenges such as climate and fragility on the other. This requires sustained attention for the specific challenges faced by women and youth.

In the margins of the Spring Meetings, Heidy Rombouts – head of the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of our Federal Public Service – participated in a panel discussion titled: “Doing more with less: Rethinking European Development Cooperation in a New Age.” Because now that international cooperation is being cut back- also in Europe - we have to make choices. In doing so, our country wants to reach out to other partners to share tasks better so that no one is left behind.

Listen to the full panel discussion "Doing More with Less: Rethinking European Development Cooperation in a New Age".