Share the page

Publication of the 1st Public Developement Bank Reference Book edited by Pearson at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

Published on

Laurent Dalençon/AFD

On the occasion of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, Pearson, in partnership with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the Finance in Common Secretariat (FiCS), and the Agence française de développement (AFD) Group, is publishing the first-ever Reference Book dedicated to Public Development Banks.

The Reference Book sheds light on the role played by Public Development Banks (PDBs) in financing operations that contribute to a more just, green, and resilient world.

Present across the globe, these public financial institutions share a common purpose: financing projects that serve the public good — especially where traditional markets fall short. The Reference Book offers a clear and comprehensive overview of who they are, how they work, and the real impact they have.

Through practical examples, it shows the conditions necessary for PDBs to contribute to positive change — from supporting social equity to tackling climate change and promoting inclusive economic growth. Whether it’s investing in clean energy, backing local businesses, or financing climate adaptation, “effective PDBs” are proving to be agile, innovative partners for long-term transformation.

This publication is designed for policymakers, development professionals, and researchers alike. It highlights the unique value of public development banks as trusted partners, capable of unlocking finance for the world’s most pressing challenges.

“An essential resource for those seeking to better understand and harness the transformative power of PDBs” – UNDESA Under-Secretary General, Li-Junhua. 

Built on a rich body of knowledge — more than 400 academic and policy papers — the PDB Reference Book is organized into five insightful chapters. It walks readers through the fundamentals of development banking, including what defines a public development bank, how they are positioned in today’s financial landscape, the diversity of their business models, and their role in advancing sustainable development.

Each chapter is made up of easy-to-navigate sections, with “key takeaways” that help readers quickly grasp the main ideas. To bring these ideas to life, the book also includes 14 case studies that showcase the wide range of public development banks in action — and how they are putting their missions into practice to foster more inclusive, sustainable, and solidarity-based economies.

A Finance in Common contribution to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

The Finance in Common System (FiCS) is a global initiative that brings together financial institutions to promote shared learning and cooperation. Its goal: to help align global financial flows with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement — by mobilizing both public and private capital.

“Public Development Banks provide a unique service: they bridge governments and the private sector, translating national and international policies into local solutions” Remi Rioux, AFD's Chief Executive Officer.

Since its creation in 2020, FiCS has grown into a powerful community of over 530 institutions, representing more than $23 trillion in total assets — about 10% of global annual investment.

FiCS has also reignited the interest of academic research in public development banks. Through the Global Research Network (GRN), more than 50 researchers, think tanks, and development institutions have come together to study how PDBs can drive progress on today’s most pressing challenges — from climate action to social equity.

To bring this work into one accessible resource, UNDESA, the FiCS Secretariat, and the Agence française de développement (AFD) have joined forces to support the publication of the PDB Reference Book. This important volume is also intended to help guide discussions at the upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, and to support concrete, actionable recommendations for future public financial policy.

How to access the publication

The PDB Reference Book is edited by Pearson and available for purchase online in print and digital format. The first 300 copies are offered by the Agence française de développement (AFD) and the FiCS Secretariat on the occasion of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), taking place in Sevilla (Spain) from June 30 – July 4th. 

Title: Public Development Banks – A Reference Book. 
Authors: Collective – Coordinated by Régis Marodon, Jean-Baptiste Jacouton and Lennart Ploen.
ISBN: 978-2-7440-6903-1
Legal deposit: June 2025. 
Commercial price: 25€. 
Citation: Marodon R., Jacouton JB., Ploen L. (2025), Public Development Banks – A Reference Book, Pearson.

For more information, please contact:

  • AFD : Jean-Baptiste Jacouton, Research officer : jacoutonjb@afd.fr
  • AFD : Régis Marodon, Special Advisor : marodonr@afd.fr
  • AFD : Raphaëlle Sardier, Communication officer : sardierr@afd.fr
  • FiCS Secretariat: Max Neumann, Knowledge Manager: neumannm.ext@afd.fr