Resilience, inclusion, and innovation were at the center of discussions at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, held in Washington, D.C., from October 13 to 18. In a context shaped by geopolitical instability and rapid technological transformation, global leaders and experts explored strategies to strengthen financial systems, promote cooperation, and ensure a people-centered approach to economic development.

Anbima followed the debates closely, reinforcing its commitment to international engagement and alignment with global agendas. The event brought together policymakers, private sector representatives, and academics from around the world to address shared challenges and opportunities across finance, labor, healthcare, and the broader economy.

“With such a broad range of countries and perspectives, the IMF and World Bank meetings offer an excellent overview of the key issues affecting economies worldwide,” said Anbima CEO José Carlos Doherty. “Participating in these global forums helps ensure that Anbima remains closely aligned with international agendas relevant to financial markets.”

A call for global cooperation

With participants from hundreds of countries across all continents, the conference reaffirmed that today’s global challenges demand coordinated, people-centered solutions. Innovation, smart regulation, and international cooperation emerged as essential pillars for building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future.

Several sessions highlighted how different countries—from Lebanon to Estonia and Singapore—are confronting issues such as declining productivity, aging populations, and regional conflicts. Despite a complex global landscape, experts noted that the world economy showed resilience over the past year, supported by sound policies and robust institutions. Still, they warned of growing risks, including tech bubbles and climate-related vulnerabilities, especially in lower-income countries.

Key recommendations included strengthening regional cooperation, updating fiscal frameworks, and protecting the independence of central banks.

Managing financial risks 

Panelists also emphasized the need for effective crisis management tools within the financial system, given the potential for contagion from one institution to another. Discussions covered the rising threat of sophisticated financial crimes, enabled by advances in technology—such as digital fraud, transnational corruption, and illicit financial flows—which undermine economic stability and public trust.

Experts called for coordinated international actions, the use of prevention technologies, and the creation of global registers of beneficial owners. Corruption was identified as a major obstacle to quality public services and a key driver of inequality.

Digital transformation

The conference devoted significant attention to the intersection of artificial intelligence and finance, showing how this convergence is reshaping the global financial sector. Regulators now face the complex task of ensuring financial stability while supporting innovation, especially with the rise of autonomous AI models with unclear governance.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital payments, blockchain systems, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which continue to evolve. 

However, participants noted the regulatory fragmentation across countries regarding digital assets—raising concerns about regulatory arbitrage, trust deficits, and limited interoperability. Traditional regulatory models are struggling to keep pace with the speed of technological change.

Putting people first

One key concern raised was the changing nature of work. Nearly 30% of the global workforce is now engaged through digital platforms, exposing gaps in infrastructure and increasing digital exclusion. The ongoing debate around AI’s impact on employment adds another layer of complexity.

Solutions discussed included improving digital education, expanding connectivity, and fostering public-private partnerships to correct imbalances between platforms, workers, and users. Some experts also argued for the need to establish ethical governance frameworks for AI that reflect the needs of workers around the world.

Access to healthcare was also reframed as a strategic investment in human capital. Participants highlighted that a healthy population contributes directly to economic development, productivity, and job creation. AI was seen as a key enabler of this agenda, with the potential to democratize diagnostics and streamline the production and distribution of vaccines and medicines, especially in countries with limited infrastructure and innovation access.

Anbima closely followed these discussions on the future of work and workforce readiness—critical issues in the face of rapid digitization and AI adoption. According to experts, by 2030, up to 70% of the skills required in the workforce will differ from today’s, making it vital to prepare and include everyone in this transformation.