Otaviano Canuto

Otaviano Canuto is a nonresident senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution. He is also principal of the Center for Macroeconomics and Development, a well-respected researcher, thought leader, and published author in economics with experience of managing knowledge networks and providing strategic advice to senior management of multilateral institutions, governments, and private investors. He is a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South.

His experience includes 15 years as vice president, executive director or senior adviser in multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

As World Bank vice president responsible for the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management network, he led 700+ technical staff in building bridges between applied research, operational work, and policy advice to clients.

As a vice president of the IDB, he was responsible for client management and relationships with member governments. As an executive director of the IMF and of the World Bank, he oversaw operations and policies implemented by both institutions. Canuto’s long experience includes a period as deputy minister for international affairs in Brazil’s Ministry of Finance and as a professor of economics.

Canuto is consistently recognized as a result-driven leader of teams dealing with complex policy issues and integrating research results into programs/projects. Consistently acknowledged for a deep understanding of economic trends of the global economy and Latin America and the Caribbean.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in Economics, University of Campinas, Brazil (1991)
• M.A. in Economics, Concordia University, Canada (1981)
• B.A. in Economics, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil (1976)

PAST POSITIONS

• Executive Director at the Boards of the World Bank Group (2004-2007 and 2016-2018)
• Executive Director at the Board of the International Monetary Fund (2015-2016)
• Senior Adviser on BRICS Economics, Development Economics Department, World Bank (2013-2015)
• Vice President and Head of the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network, World Bank (2009-2013)
• Vice President for Countries, Inter-American Development Bank (2007-2009)
• Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Brazil (2003)
• Professor of Economics (1981-2002)