World Bank Group Archives

The Archives preserves the institutional memory of the World Bank Group and provides public access to records of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

About Us

Exhibit

Mr. Colbert I. King: U.S. Executive Director and Pulitzer Prize Winner

To mark Black History Month this year, World Bank Group Archivist Bertha Wilson explores the achievements and contributions of Colbert I. King, the United States' first African American Executive Director.
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Take a Look! Country Historical Profiles Website Launched

The Archives' new Country Historical Profiles website offers a dynamic view of WBG membership over time and profiles of every Bank Group country member, past and present. Profiles include membership information, first loans, important events, economic reports, lists of Country Directors and Executive Directors, and much, much more!
WBG Archives Reading Room Reopened September 12, 2022

The World Bank Group Archives reading room reopened to fully vaccinated researchers on September 12, 2022, by appointment. Digitization service for Access to Information requests will continue.
Development Reflections Series

Planting the Seeds of Social Development

In the second installment of our Development Reflections Series, former World Bank Group staff member Dr. Maritta Koch-Weser reflects on the emergence of social development in the World Bank Group's work and her contributions as one of the Bank's first social scientists.
Podcast

WBG Archives Featured on EABH Podcast

WBG Archives Manager April Miller joined the European Association for Banking and Financial History (EABH) podcast to discuss how the World Bank Group has evolved over time and what makes the Bank's Archives unique. Take a listen!
Event

A Conversation: Robert S. McNamara at the World Bank

Olivier Lafourcade, former personal assistant to WBG President Robert S. McNamara, joined moderator John Heath to discuss a new book on McNamara authored by McNamara's former assistants. Learn more about the publication and watch a video recording of the event.

Archives Catalog

The Archives Catalog contains archival descriptions and provides access to digitized records.

Photo Catalog

The Photo Catalog provides access to thousands of photos relating to World Bank operations, presidents, official signings, and more.

Oral History Program

The Oral History Program website contains transcripts, summaries, and audio clips of interviews with former World Bank staff.

Archives Spotlight

Exhibit

Bretton Woods and the Birth of the Bank

On July 1, 1944, delegates from forty-four nations met in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire to agree on a new system of international cooperation. Learn more about this historic meeting and view folder lists of related archival records.

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WBG Web Archives

The Web Archives provides access to World Bank websites that have been discontinued or significantly updated. Archived sites date from 1998 to the present.

Video

Uncover the Treasures of the Archives

This short promotional video describes the possibilities available to researchers when they “jump in and explore” the holdings of the World Bank Group Archives.

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Documents and Reports

Access Bank Group-authored reports, including Board Documents, Economic and Sector Work reports, project documents, and publications and research.

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Country Director Database

Contains country director data from 1972 to 2020.

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Projects & Operations

Provides contextual information for each World Bank project, past and present, as well as a folder list of archival records that relate to each project.