Beginnings
The shared perspectives of five nations of the River Plate Basin — Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay — gave birth to FONPLATA. Their efforts to promote regional integration started in 1968 and led to the signing of the Treaty of the River Plate Basin in 1969. Later, on June 12, 1974, the foreign ministers of these countries signed the Articles of Agreement of the Financial Fund for the Development of the River Plate Basin (FONPLATA), consolidating the creation of an international institution based in Bolivia, initially in Sucre and later in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Growth and Consolidation as Development Bank
In 2010, FONPLATA began a deep institutional transformation with the approval of a new management model that included the creation of a new position: the Executive President. Two years later, a renewed governance agenda led to the development of a long-term Institutional Strategic Plan and two capital increases. These steps strengthened the Bank's capacity to finance infrastructure projects and social and productive development projects in member countries.
The year 2016 marked a milestone with the achievement of the first international credit rating with investor grade, which opened the doors to the capital markets. Thus, since 2019, FONPLATA has been issuing bonds in key markets such as Switzerland and Japan, diversifying its funding sources.
In 2018, the Institution reached a new level by consolidating as a Development Bank, which allowed it to expand its membership and strengthen strategic alliances with development institutions in Latin America and other regions. Later, in 2019, it assumed the trusteeship of the MERCOSUR Structural Convergence Fund (FOCEM). Since 2020, the Bank has expanded its scope by financing public sector operations without the need for sovereign guarantees and launching credit lines focused on economic reactivation and green financing.
Innovation has been the key to its evolution. In 2022, FONPLATA became one of the first multilateral banks in the region to implement a Sustainable Debt Framework aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. That same year, it approved a new Institutional Strategic Plan for 2022—2026, with cross-cutting strategic objectives.
In 2023, the Bank set a benchmark by appointing the first woman as Executive President and launching a Gender and Youth Funding Line. And, in 2024, it approved the new Support Line for Regional Integration and MERCOSUR, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in the region.
Commitment to the Future
In 2024, the new Articles of Agreement came into full force and effect, the incorporation of new members was authorized, and an increase in authorized capital, expected to be completed by 2027, was approved.
Today, FONPLATA is positioned as a strategic partner for regional integration and sustainable development, adapting to the needs of its member countries and a changing world.