This book is my journey through over four decades of working in development finance, with local and global institutions like the IFC/World Bank Group. It covers key experiences and learnings, from supporting businesses in developing countries to understanding the "ups and downs" of Pakistan's economic growth and Uzbekistan's integration into the world economy. Through real stories, I explore how development finance affects lives, the challenges it faces today, and the potential it has for meaningful change. This book is for development professionals, economic planners, students, and anyone interested in how international development work can have an impact on the lives of ordinary people. The book shares glimpses of the Cold War era, the role of the United Nations in today's world and offers a personal perspective on the importance of sustainable development and why reforms at the World Bank Group are long overdue. It offers hope on how we can all contribute to building a better future for everyone.