Spring Meetings Takeaways: Where Do the Bretton Woods Institutions Go from Here?

Spring Meetings Takeaways: Where Do the Bretton Woods Institutions Go from Here?

In the wake IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings 2026, Gerry Rice joins Emily Slater to unpack a week shaped by geopolitical tension, fragile economic sentiment, and record attendance in Washington. They assess the mood of the meetings, key takeaways from the IMF and World Bank—including expanded financing commitments—and what recent outcomes from the WTO Ministerial signal for the future of global trade. As multilateral governance adapts to a more fragmented and shock-prone world, Rice offers perspectives on where institutions are still delivering pragmatic cooperation and where deeper reform is needed. Gerry Rice has served as the Director of Communications for both the IMF and the World Bank. He now serves on the Advisory Council of the Bretton Woods Committee.

Can Stablecoins Safely Scale into the Global Financial System?

Stablecoins are no longer experimental; they are becoming a core part of global finance, raising new questions about regulation, monetary sovereignty, and the future of financial infrastructure. In this episode of Macro Matters, Heath Tarbert joins Emily Slater to discuss the rise of stablecoins, the evolving regulatory frameworks, and how global approaches—from Washington to Singapore—are shaping the next phase of digital finance. As the financial system begins to move onchain, what will it take to build the infrastructure and coordination needed to support it? Heath Tarbert is the President of Circle and a member of BWC's Advisory Council. He previously served as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Markets as well as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Special Counsel to the Senate Banking Committee.

Can Latin America Lead the Next Global Growth Wave?

Latin America finds itself in a pivotal moment. Fresh from CAF’s Economic Forum in Panama City, this episode of Macro Matters explores how the region is navigating a shifting global order, renewed U.S. engagement in the Western Hemisphere, and growing momentum around regional integration. Susan Segal joins host Emily Slater to unpack key takeaways from the conference, discuss why integration has reemerged as a central theme, and share why she is more optimistic than ever about Latin America’s future—from investment and multilateralism to leadership on the global stage. Susan Segal is the President and CEO of Americas Society/Council of the Americas. She has spent decades working across Latin America in both the private and public sectors, including during the region’s debt crises of the 1980s and 1990s. She has been deeply involved in Bretton Woods Committee sovereign debt work and currently serves on its Advisory Council.

What’s Driving India’s Rise as a Global Economic Power?

India’s economic momentum is reshaping the global landscape. From rapid growth and expanding trade ties to digital innovation and a multi-alignment foreign policy, India is emerging as a central player in the world economy. In this episode, Udaibir S. Das joins host Emily Slater to unpack what’s fueling India’s rise, how its strategic choices are landing on the global stage, and what this means for the future of global economic governance. Udaibir S. Das is the former General Manager of the Reserve Bank of India. He has held senior roles at the IMF and the Bank for International Settlements, including leading Basel III implementation at the BIS. He currently serves as a non-resident fellow at the National Council of Applied Economic Research and as a non-resident adviser to the Bank of England and the Toronto Centre.

Can Brazil Chart its Own Course in a Changing Global Order?

Recorded during the week of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, this episode of Macro Matters features Joaquim Levy. As the world enters an era of multipolar competition and rising protectionism, Brazil has taken an approach defined by economic resilience, pragmatic diplomacy, and "Active Non-Alignment." We'll be discussing the drivers behind this recent growth, Brazil's role within an expanded BRICS coalition, and its ambitions for greater global influence. Levy also shares his expectations for the 2025 Annual Meetings, his prediction for Brazil's upcoming elections, and what Brazil's trajectory can teach us about navigating today's complex global economic landscape. Joaquim Levy is Director for Economic Strategy and Market Relations at Banco Safra and former Brazilian Minister of Finance. With extensive experience spanning the World Bank, the Brazilian Development Bank, and other IFIs, Levy helps us explore how Brazil is positioning itself amid shifting global dynamics.