In July 1944 – one year before the end of World War II – delegates from 44 countries met for the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference held at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. The conference aimed to create the framework for post-war international economic cooperation and reconstruction. The intellectual leaders at the conference were John Maynard Keynes (Adviser to the Treasury in the United Kingdom), and Harry Dexter White (Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the United States).

While the conference resulted in the formation of two institutions: the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), the creation of the World Bank was not the primary focus. The majority of time and effort was spent on the IMF Commission under Harry Dexter White’s leadership. The work of the World Bank Commission on the other hand, occurred only in the last few days of the conference and its articles of agreement - primarily drafted by John Maynard Keynes – included rebuilding the economies of countries devastated by war and increasing the economic development of developing countries.

Since 1947, the World Bank has funded over 12,000 development projects, via traditional loans, interest-free credits, and grants.

The World Bank Group works in every major area of development. They provide a wide array of financial products and technical assistance, and they help countries share and apply innovative knowledge and solutions to the challenges they face.

With 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.  

The World Bank Group consists of five organizations:

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) provides financial development and policy financing

The International Development Association (IDA) provides zero-to low-interest loans and grants

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) mobilizes private sector investment and provides advice

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) provides political risk insurance (guarantees)

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) settles investment disputes

Three priorities guide their work with countries to end poverty and boost prosperity for the poorest people. Helping create sustainable economic growth, investing in people and building resilience to shocks and threats that can roll back decades of progress.

Their Access to Information policy was the catalyst for initiatives such as Open Data and the Open Knowledge Repository.

They offer support to developing countries through policy advice, research and analysis, and technical assistance. Their analytical work often underpins World Bank financing and helps inform developing countries' own investments.