PRESS RELEASE
WDC-19-2026
20 April 2026
Embassy Press and Information Section
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a luncheon hosted by Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, the Philippines and World Bank commemorated 80 years of partnership which featured a photo exhibit at the Quezon Hall of the Philippine Embassy Chancery.
Secretary of Finance Frederick D. Go, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona, and World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region Carlos Felipe Jaramillo were among the guests to the commemorative event.
“As the global economy continues to face a lot of uncertainty and volatility, our partnership with the World Bank remains as one of the constants that the Philippines can depend upon to help us achieve stability and meet our development goals. We look forward to the implementation of the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2031 as the PH achieves upper middle income status” Ambassador Romualdez said.
In his remarks, Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said that the Philippines-World Bank Group partnership “is anchored on trust built over decades of collaboration, strengthened through shared objectives, and sustained as we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape together. It is on this strong foundation that we move forward with confidence.”
WB Vice President Jaramillo said that the 80 years of partnership between the World Bank and the Philippines is “a journey of mobilizing finance and knowledge to fight poverty…spur growth, enhance resilience, and create more opportunities for all Filipinos.”
A photo exhibition by the World Bank Group was mounted at the Embassy showing key milestones throughout the 80 years of PH-WB partnership.
The Philippines became a founding member of the World Bank on December 27, 1945 when Ambassador Romulo signed the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Articles of Agreement.
The Philippines and the World Bank have worked side by side over the decades to build critical infrastructure, improve agriculture productivity, strengthen health and education, mitigate climate change risk and enhance disaster resilience, among other efforts. Through a new Country Partnership Framework, the PH seeks a balanced and inclusive economic development that will benefit and incentivize the greater participation of MSME’s and underserved sectors in uplifting the local economy.
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