Discussion with

• Korinna Horta, Reseacher at the University of Lisbon, author of the study “The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): A Multilateral Bank where China sets the rules”

• Jörg Haas, head of the Division International Politics of the Heinrich Böll Foundation

• Wawa Wang, working for several Europe-based NGOs on the AIIB, affiliated to VedvarendeEnergi

• Kerstin Jorna, Deputy Director-General, DG ECFIN, European Commission

• Sarabjeet Hayer, International Aid / Cooperation Officer, East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, DG Devco

At our event, Korinna Horta will present the study “The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): A multilateral bank where China sets the rules”. The study examines the AIIB’s guidelines to assess whether the bank is on track to deliver on its promises to become a “lean, clean and green” development bank and whether it can meet its commitments to international environmental and social standards. The analysis also takes into account the potential of the bank to shape infrastructure investments in Asia, especially in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The AIIB has developed into a relevant player in the global financial architecture in record time since it became operational in 2016. By now, 14 EU Member States joined the AIIB as shareholders, which gives them the responsibility to monitor planned investments and the implementation of AIIB-financed projects.

We want to discuss the study together with experts from NGOs, the Heinrich Böll Foundation an EU institutions. What steps can the EU stakeholders and the EU take in shaping the AIIB’s role as an international development bank and its commitment to environmental and social accountability? What can practitioners learn from this study? How can the EU get more closely involved in monitoring the AIIB’s activities?