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Getting to 30

In 2021, as the EBRD marked its 30th anniversary, Josué Tanaka, then Managing Director, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change, Operational Strategy and Planning reflected on the Bank's evolution over almost 30 years of service at the EBRD.

A younger Josué working to start what has become our municipal and environmental infrastructure financing business

The beginning of the EBRD

EBRD's first years of operation, shaped by rapid change, expanding ambitions and a continually evolving region.

The streets of Bucharest had very few cars in the early days, including the mythical Trabant shown on this picture.

Searching for the first private sector project

An early mission to Romania in search of the EBRD's first private sector project.

Commercial Union building which you could see from our old headquarters.

Two explosive events

The EBRD's early years, marked by political upheaval, institutional growth and moments of unexpected drama.

The Annual Meeting was held in the Conference Hall of the Tauride Palace, completed in 1789 (another revolutionary year), for Prince G.A. Potemkin-Tavrichesky.

Priorities in a changing region

The early years of transition in Russia, shaped by profound change, institutional reform and competing visions for the future.

Winter view of a residential courtyard, with snow-covered trees and apartment buildings in the background.

The foundations of Green Cities

The Bank's early engagement across the region, shaped by pioneering projects, emerging institutions and new partnerships.

Roy Knighton, director of the transport team in the mid-1990s, getting ready for our road trip from Split in Croatia to Sarajevo. The UN flights were overbooked by then while civilian flights had not yet started.

Sarajevo, 1995

An EBRD visit to Sarajevo during the Bosnian conflict and the Bank's early engagement in supporting post-war recovery.

Our visit to the MicroEnterprise Bank in Sarajevo, the first micro-lending bank and first equity investment of the Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From left to right, Paul Monnory who assisted the start of EBRD operations in the country, Jacques de Larosière, President of the EBRD, Ralf Niepel, first general manager of MEB, and Zsuzsa Hargitai, our courageous and determined first full time representative in the country.

Rebuilding Bosnia and Herzegovina

The EBRD's early role in supporting recovery, reconstruction and institution-building after the Dayton Agreement.

Following his team’s work on the carbon offset transaction, Terry McCallion participated in the signing ceremony together with Alistair Clark, Jane Ross and the children and young people of the Dom Tuškanac home. Quite an event!

Securing the Bank's future

How two capital increases enabled the EBRD to expand its impact and respond to evolving challenges across its regions.

Moldova in transition

Experiences from the early years of Moldova's transition and the EBRD's efforts to support private sector and financial sector development.

Cutting the ribbon with the Minister of Transport amidst a sea of smiles.

Bringing projects to life in Romania

From road and railway modernisation to private sector investment, experiences from delivering EBRD projects and seeing their impact on the ground.

The assembly hall

Growing the portfolio in Ukraine

How the EBRD worked to increase its investment activity and support Ukraine's economic transition.

Tunis in transition

The beginnings of SEMED

How SEMED became a region of operations and the EBRD's first steps across the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean.

President Park Geun-Hye at the opening ceremony of the Green Climate Fund headquarters in Song-Do, South Korea.

From climate ambition to climate action

The origins of the EBRD’s climate finance activity and the growth of green investment across the Bank.

The EBRD at the One Planet Summit. From right to left: Pierre Heilbronn, Jonathan Charles, Suma Chakrabarti and Edward Bannerman. Josué behind the camera.

The Paris Agreement and the EBRD

The road to the Paris Agreement and the launch of the EBRD's Green Economy Transition approach.

Leading teams through change

A tribute to the teams whose expertise, commitment and collaboration have driven the EBRD's success over three decades.

Josué’s final view of the Bank at around 1:00 am on 3 November 2020 after emptying his office ahead of the second Lockdown. Going down the goods lift with a cart of boxes, loading the car, turning right and saying farewell.

Three decades at the heart of the EBRD

A farewell reflection on 30 years of change, partnership and purpose at the EBRD.

Related links

EBRD year one: a personal recollection by Josué Tanaka