Mapa del Corredor de Gas del Sur. Crédito: Bankwatch

Infrastructure

Analysis

The rise and fall of World Bank funded megaprojects

The World Bank has announced funding for the controversial Southern Gas Corridor, while exiting two other high profile but problematic megaprojects, Inga 3 in Democratic Republic of Congo and Simandou in Guinea.

31 January 2017

Finance

Analysis

IFC investment in Stora Enso: the need for a responsible IFC tax policy

The International Finance Corporation praises the pulp and paper company Stora Enso as an industry leader in environmental and social standards, but questions about Stora Enso’s Dutch tax arrangement remain unresolved.

31 January 2017 | Guest analysis
La directora gerente del FMI, Christine Lagarde, fue hallada culpable por el tribunal francés en circunstancias atenuantes. Crédito: MercoPress

Accountability

News

IMF managing director found guilty of “negligence”, remains at IMF

French court finds IMF managing director Lagarde guilty of “negligence in dealing with public funds” when she was finance minister in 2008, however no fine or sentence was imposed.

31 January 2017
AID18, cuarta reunión de reposición en Indonesia. Crédito: Heri Purwata en Crowdponent

Finance

News

World Bank IDA18 to introduce increased reliance on capital markets

The World Bank's IDA18 replenishment raised $75 billion, with increased reliance on capital markets and launched new $2.5 billion private sector window through IFC and MIGA.

31 January 2017
Lanzamiento del Grupo de Alto Nivel del ONU sobre el Empoderamiento Económico de las Mujeres, septiembre de 2016. Crédito: ONU Mujeres / Ryan Brown

Gender

News

Will IMF’s response to UN report on women’s economic empowerment change its policies?

UN High Level Panel on women’s economic empowerment publishes flagship report, civil society expressed concerns macroeconomic perspectives are lacking, despite Bank and Fund being on the panel.

31 January 2017
Assam tea worker credit: Rajan Zaveri

Rights

Commentary

World Bank continues colonial legacy on Assam’s tea plantations

CAO report validates 2013 complaint by Indian NGOs on IFC investment in colonial tea plantation in Assam. The IFC's action plan is very limited in scope.

31 January 2017 | Guest comment
La canciller alemana Merkel y el director gerente del FMI Lagarde; Crédito: FMI

Finance

News

Doubts persist over IMF participation in new Greek programme

IMF claims it is does not advocate austerity as Greek finance minister accuses IMF of economising with the truth and pushing harmful and counterproductive reforms.

31 January 2017

IFI governance

Background

The World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group

This Inside the Institutions looks at the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group, including how it is structured and the different elements of the evaluation process.

31 January 2017 | Inside the institutions

IFI governance

Commentary

Bankspeak of the year 2016

Every year the Bretton Woods Project highlights some of the most farcical remarks of Fund and Bank staff.

31 January 2017 | Humour

Social services

Analysis

GFF falls short on family planning

Investments by the World Bank-hosted Global Financing Facility (GFF) do not reflect the family planning priorities identified by developing countries and local communities. The GFF also continues to suffer from a lack of transparency and meaningful civil society participation, raising doubts about the new mechanism’s effectiveness.

31 January 2017 | At Issue