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ARTICLE · 14 NOVEMBER 2025

Multilateral Development Bank Sanctions: 15 Years Of Cross-Debarment

Mayer Brown
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As multilateral development banks (MDBs) mark the 15th anniversary of their cross‑debarment agreement, enforcement of integrity breaches in connection with MDB-financed projects is both broader...

GlobalInternational Law
Sam Eastwood
Sam Eastwood
Paul Whitfield-Jones
Paul Whitfield-Jones
Kelly Kramer
Kelly Kramer
Edouard Gergondet
Edouard Gergondet
Michel Sancovski
Michel Sancovski
Johannes Weichbrodt
Johannes Weichbrodt
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As multilateral development banks (MDBs) mark the 15th anniversary of their cross‑debarment agreement, enforcement of integrity breaches in connection with MDB-financed projects is both broader and more harmonized than ever. The World Bank Group (WBG), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have intensified enforcement, synchronized core procedures, and embedded compliance remediation through "conditional release." The risks of MDB enforcement extend beyond contractors to sponsors, investors, and affiliates across corporate groups. This Legal Update takes stock of the latest trends and developments and flags practical implications for companies participating in MDB-financed projects.

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