Analysis

Finance

Analysis

Shut out of IDA19, civil society organisations disappointed with proposals

CSOs raise concerns about IDA19 proposed policy commitments and lack of formal consultation.

3 October 2019

Gender

Analysis

The World Bank and gender equality: Development Policy Financing

This briefing analyses the World Bank's Development Policy Financing from a critical gender perspective.

15 August 2019 | Briefings

Conditionality

Analysis

Structural adjustment is dead, long live structural adjustment

As Fund publishes its first comprehensive review of conditionality since the financial crisis, questions arise about the Fund's capacity to create economic stability and the rise of structural conditions.

30 July 2019

Environment

Analysis

Confronted with climate emergency, IMF belatedly attempts to "get real"

Fund turns its attention to carbon pricing to support Paris Agreement alignment, as climate vulnerable countries see rising cost of climate impacts.

30 July 2019
Illustration Observer Summer 2019

IFI governance

Analysis

Here we go again: Surprise IMF leadership change litmus test for its legitimacy

Lagarde resignation kicks-off another leadership race overshadowed by gentleman’s agreement.

30 July 2019

IFI governance

Analysis

The Bretton Woods Institutions and the second crisis of multilateralism

At 75, the World Bank and IMF face a crisis of multilateralism in no small part of their own making as failed economic policies have resulted in skepticism of the international order they helped to create.

30 July 2019 | At Issue
Flags of member nations flying at United Nations Headquarters

Conditionality

Analysis

IMF framework on social spending out of step with international standards

Fund publishes social spending strategy, civil society deems outcome too little too late.

30 July 2019 | Guest analysis
The wind park near the village of Bulgarevo,Bulgaria.

Environment

Analysis

Low-carbon infrastructure, sustainable finance, and people-focused development

This briefing emphasises the interdependence between the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement, in terms of ensuring that all new infrastructure is climate resilient and aligned with the low- or zero-carbon pathways required to avert catastrophic climate change – which would render achieving the SDGs impossible.

18 July 2019 | Briefings

IFI governance

Analysis

Spring Meetings wrap-up 2019: what crisis of multilateralism?

As the world ponders the fate of a beleaguered multilateralism on the 75th anniversary of the Bank and Fund, both fail to act on essential governance reforms and opt to maintain the unjust privilege of the Global North.

16 April 2019

IFI governance

Analysis

V20 proposes new financial instruments in attempt to tackle climate risks

The V20 Group of Finance Ministers proposes new mechanism to help finance 100 per cent renewal energy transition, as climate action continues to proceed at slower pace than mandated by Paris Agreement.

16 April 2019

Finance

Analysis

Falling growth, rising tensions – IMFC communiqué analysis Spring 2019

Analysis of the IMFC communiqué, issued on 13 April, from the 2019 World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, Washington DC.

16 April 2019

IFI governance

Analysis

Development Committee communiqué analysis – Spring 2019

Analysis of the Development Committee communiqué published on 13 April.

16 April 2019