Global governance

The role of international institutions such as the World Bank, WTO, EU and other has been central to the politics of development for decades, and is likely to remain at the very heart of the development agenda for the coming years. Whether the debate is on managing security threats or responding to climate change, financial crises or the underlying infrastructure of a globalising world, the performance of these multilateral institutions is a critical factor. Decisions on aid delivery and architecture, trade policy and processes, humanitarian response and much more are all made in these institutions. As a result, their shape and their vision are crucial to policy successes and failures.

ODI's work in this area aims to increase understanding of the multilateral system in all its dimensions and to inform and influence reform processes. In particular, we look at:

• the role of multilaterals in specific areas of development such as: climate change; coordination of the humanitarian system; and the need to allow developing countries a genuine 'voice';
• the links between development and foreign policy, including the shifting role of the developing world's largest and growing economies;
• reform of the international system, such as IMF and UN reform packages; and
• the track record of individual institutions, ranging from the World Trade Organization to the European Union.