The Importance of the IADB: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions

In this episode, Dan is joined by Eugenio Díaz-Bonilla, head of the Latin American and Caribbean Program at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). During their conversation, the duo discuss the importance of regional development banks (RDBs)—in particular, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)—at a time when three of the four RDBs' presidencies are up for grabs in 2020. They examine Diaz-Bonilla's book, A Long and Winding Road: The Creation of the Inter-American Development Bank, written in 2011. Díaz-Bonilla first traces the history of the IADB and explains why the institution has had consistent backing from both Latin American countries and the United States. He then argues that the IADB needs to demonstrate a greater interest in various issues, including drug trafficking, money laundering, corruption, access to education, youth employment, and inequality; and expand its partnerships with other international development organizations.