Water

Social services

News

World Bank pushed to open up TNC arbitration process

NGOs protest “secret court” to decide on Bolivia water privatisation follow-up.

17 September 2002

Infrastructure

News

Commissioners urge better water strategy

The twelve prominent individuals who served as commissioners on the World Commission on Dams have written to the World Bank President demanding that he do more to implement their recommendations.

17 September 2002

Environment

News

Update on key World Bank policies

The World Bank is in the process of “reformatting” a wide range of its key safeguard policies.

17 September 2002

Rights

News

NGOs criticise the Bank’s water strategy

The Bank’s draft Water Resources Sector Strategy has been faulted by critics for distorting the findings of the World Commission on Dams, continuing to support high-cost megaprojects and emphasizing privatisation.

24 July 2002

Social services

News

Ghanaians contest Bank-backed water privatisation

A broad coalition of organisations is challenging the plan to privatise Ghana’s water system. They complain that the World Bank and IMF-promoted scheme will not extend services to poorer people or ensure fair pricing. The deal - which the IMF has just made part of its new conditions for Ghana - reflects the biases of the consultants which drew it up at a cost of $3million.

25 March 2002

Social services

News

Company seeks compensation after Bolivians force re-nationalisation

US multinational Bechtel is seeking compensation from the Bolivian government after protests forced the cancellation of its contract to provide water in Cochabamba. The case has been accepted by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, a little-known arm of the World Bank Group. Campaigners are preparing to challenge the process.

25 March 2002

Social services

News

Bank steps up journalist training

At the World Water Forum, Bonn, the World Bank distributed flyers advertising a training programme for journalists running up to the World Water Forum 2003.

1 January 2002

Environment

News

Coal India problems inspected

The World Bank’s Inspection Panel has visited India in response to a claim filed against the Bank’s Coal India loans.

10 September 2001

Social services

News

Privatisation of water not “pro-poor”, NGOs warn

Ghanaian and international groups raise concerns about Bank-backed plans to privatise metropolitan water supply.

18 June 2001

Rights

News

New Freshwater Action Network

A new network has been launched to support NGO advocacy around freshwater issues.

6 February 2001