Many of us will have heard of the European Investment Bank. Can you explain the role of the Bank, its key objectives and how it goes about meeting those objectives?

When people think of the European Investment Bank, they often picture a large public financial institution. But the EIB Group is one of Europe’s most important strategic tools. As the EU’s long term lending institution and the world’s largest multilateral development bank the Group exists to help Europe respond to global challenges through investment: from climate transition and digitalisation to competitiveness and social cohesion. Owned by the 27 EU Member States, it exists to advance Europe’s strategic policy objectives at home and across the world. Group’s core mission is to invest in projects that strengthen Europe’s economy while supporting global public goods such as climate action, sustainable infrastructure, digitalisation and social inclusion. We do this by combining our own financing with EU budgetary guarantees, advisory services and partnerships that help mobilise private capital at scale. Within the Group, EIB Global is our dedicated development and external action arm the part I lead. Our job is to take Europe’s strategic priorities abroad and translate them into impactful investment. That means building trusted partnerships, opening markets for European companies, supporting stability in the EU neighbourhood and financing sustainable development worldwide. For me, leading EIB Global means ensuring Europe remains a credible, trusted and proactive partner. We combine our own financing with EU budget guarantees, mobilise private capital where it matters most, and build partnerships that benefit both Europe and the countries we support. In a world defined by uncertainty and competition, we aim to deliver something very concrete: stable, long-term investment that strengthens resilience, opportunity and shared prosperity at home and abroad.