IFI governance

Analysis

IMF and World Bank at 70: many happy returns?

29 September 2014

As the IMF and World Bank mark their 70th anniversary their leadership is being challenged as rival institutions have emerged, but reports of their demise appear premature.

Rights

Commentary

Dangers of dilution: World Bank’s new weak environmental and social framework

World Bank’s new draft environmental and social framework is criticised as a step backwards that could lower the standards for the international development community.

29 September 2014 | Guest comment

Finance

Analysis

Where is the public in PPPs? Analysing the World Bank’s support for public-private partnerships

A review of the World Bank’s support for public-private partnerships by the Independent Evaluation Group reveals a lack of proven poverty impacts.

29 September 2014

Rights

Commentary

Is Inspection Panel's new pilot weakening World Bank accountability?

World Bank’s Inspection Panel's new pilot process has left some 9,000 evicted people in Nigeria without adequate remedy, allowing the Bank to avoid accountability

29 September 2014 | Guest analysis

Social services

News

A poor diagnosis: the World Bank’s health record

World Bank health financing benefits wealthy elites not poorest according to new IEG evaluation and Oxfam analysis

29 September 2014

Finance

Analysis

Ghana and the IMF – a window into Africa’s future?

Ghana's recent turn to the IMF raises questions about the 'Africa rising' narrative and may signal a stronger role for the Fund in the region.

29 September 2014

Rights

Analysis

Conflict-affected states, IFC’s final frontier

The IFC is set to expand operations in fragile and conflict-affected states such as Burma, despite indications that systemic problems identified in Honduras persist.

29 September 2014

Private Sector

News

“Affordable hotels”: IFC’s luxury development projects

IFC investments in Burma hotels have been criticised for weak poverty reduction impact. IFC claims that investment in luxury hotels in India will provide “affordable hotels”.

29 September 2014

Infrastructure

News

Risking the bottom line? World Bank infrastructure initiatives criticised

The Global Infrastructure Facility is expected to be launched as a World Bank-hosted programme in October. Concerns remain about the Bank’s continued support for fossil fuel infrastructure.

29 September 2014

Environment

Background

World Bank green bonds

The World Bank group supports the growth of the green bond market through the IBRD and the IFC to “catalyse the market through strategic issuances of green bonds based on their triple-A ratings.”

29 September 2014 | Inside the institutions