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The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the World Bank Group have established a new framework for cooperation that will expand their joint work on development projects, according to a report published by the Emirates News Agency. The partnership centers on increasing financing for initiatives in priority areas while improving project outcomes in developing nations. Representatives from both institutions formalized the arrangement during a meeting that highlighted shared goals in poverty reduction and sustainable growth.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two sides will pursue co-financed operations and exchange technical expertise to maximize development returns, the Emirates News Agency reported. ADFD brings decades of experience in grant and loan provision while the World Bank Group contributes analytical capabilities and global operational reach. The collaboration is structured to identify opportunities where combined resources can address infrastructure gaps and social needs more effectively than separate efforts.
ADFD has extended more than $38 billion in development financing to over 90 countries since its founding in 1971, according to the fund’s published records. The World Bank Group maintains active portfolios in more than 140 nations, with annual commitments that routinely exceed $60 billion, its own disclosures show. Officials indicated that aligning these capabilities will allow for larger-scale interventions in regions facing acute development challenges.
The partnership builds on prior joint activities in Africa and Asia where the institutions have supported projects in renewable energy, water management and education, a joint review cited by the Emirates News Agency found. Both parties emphasized the need for innovative approaches to development finance amid rising global demands. Future work under the agreement will incorporate monitoring mechanisms to track impact and ensure efficient resource use.
Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said in the statement, “This partnership with the World Bank Group represents a significant step towards scaling up our development impact and addressing the growing needs of developing countries.” A senior World Bank official stated that working with ADFD will help extend the reach of programs targeting the most vulnerable populations. The comments were carried in the Emirates News Agency dispatch detailing the agreement.
The announcement coincides with broader efforts by multilateral institutions to increase development assistance, according to data compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Those figures place total official development assistance from all sources at record levels in recent years as demand for climate and infrastructure funding grows. The ADFD-World Bank partnership is positioned to contribute directly to those flows through targeted project selection and implementation.
