IDB and World Bank Launch New Amazonia Bond Issuance Program

SEVILLE — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank launched a new platform to help countries and institutions raise private capital for sustainable development in the Amazonia region – combining environmental protection with economic and social impact. 

The  platform is grounded on the Amazonia Bond Issuance Guidelines, just issued jointly by the IDB and the World Bank. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for structuring bonds with clear criteria for use of proceeds, impact measurement, and transparency.

As a first move under the new program, the IDB plans to issue up to $1 billion in Amazonia Bonds – targeting projects that curb deforestation, protect biodiversity, and support local livelihoods and economic resilience.

“This program provides a clear framework for channeling private capital into sustainable development in Amazonia. With standards for how proceeds are used and reported, it gives investors the confidence that their financing will drive real impact – supporting projects that protect forests and biodiversity, offering concrete economic alternatives, strengthen local economies, and improve living conditions for communities across the region,” said Ilan Goldfajn, president of the IDB.

"We are proud to support the launch of the Amazonia Bonds Issuance program – an important step toward mobilizing sustainable finance for one of the world’s most vital regions. Through the Amazonia Viva framework, we are helping countries design credible, high-impact instruments that can attract private capital at scale – turning sustainable finance into real, lasting impact. This builds on technical assistance from the World Bank Group, which has helped emerging market public sector borrowers and commercial banks raise significant resources through labeled green, social, and sustainability bonds," said Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Spain contributed $2 million through AECID to support the development of the guidelines and technical assistance for future issuers. The Green Climate Fund also provided key support.

All bond issuances under the program will be tracked on the Green Bond Transparency Platform – a public website launched and maintained by the IDB with technical assistance funding from the German government. 

The initiative is part of the IDB’s Amazonia Forever platform and complements the World Bank’s Amazonia Viva program – reflecting deeper multilateral coordination ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

Home to over 47 million people and more than 20% of the world’s freshwater, the Amazon region is vital to global climate stability. The new program offers a blueprint for mobilizing finance that supports both environmental protection and inclusive economic development.