New IMF debt sustainability framework fails to alleviate concerns over transparency and overoptimism in midst of large-scale debt crisis, as countries face severe austerity and private lenders wait for bailouts.
Analysis
Environment
Analysis
World Bank’s failure to disclose details of climate finance accounting opens its claim to be leading green financier to scrutiny
Newly released study by Oxfam finds that the Bank’s claims of climate finance for FY2020 could be off by as much as 40 per cent, or $7 billion, highlighting the urgent need for greater public disclosure.
Land
Analysis
World Bank and IMF’s response to global food crisis misses mark, as financial speculation drives food prices to historic highs
Action plan launched by Bretton Woods Institutions and other IFIs ignores role of corporatisation of agriculture in contributing to current crisis.
Accountability
Analysis
Ending “absolute immunity” for the International Finance Corporation: The legacy of Jam v. IFC
EarthRights International examines how the Jam v. IFC case has helped to shift the landscape of accountability for international financial institutions by successfully challenging their claim to “absolute” immunity in US courts, potentially opening IFC up to further legal challenges in future.
Finance
Analysis
A new Bretton Woods for whom? Civil society calls for democratisation of global governance
As geopolitical tensions rise amidst worsening global economic conditions, civil society demands the democratisation of a world economic order away from the established Global North and elite capitalist hegemony.
Accountability
Analysis
Why the IFC can’t afford to squander this opportunity to get remedy right
The IFC is the only DFI that has committed to creating a remedy framework. The basic requirements of a rights-based remedy framework are already known.
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2022 Wrap-Up: Progress on key issues side-tracked by Ukraine invasion and BWIs’ own sense of drift
Spring Meetings conclude with frantic calls for stronger multilateralism, but few advances in key issues such as Covid-19 unequal recovery, debt, inequality and climate crises, while Russia participation prevents G20, G24 and Development Committee from releasing a communique.
IFI governance
Analysis
G20 press briefing analysis – Spring Meetings 2022
The G20 released a press briefing focused on the effects of Russia's war in Ukraine and the increasing need for multilateralism amidst walkouts, rising debt levels around the world, a new World Bank pandemic preparedness model, and the approval of RST and other sustainable finance models.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMFC chair statement analysis – Spring Meetings 2022
The IMFC issued a chair statement in place of a communiqué. It discussed a long list of challenges with focus on fallout from Ukraine invasion and climate change.
IFI governance
Analysis
V20 calls for more equitable international financial system to tackle risks posed to climate vulnerable developing countries
The communiqué for the V20 highlighted multitude of crises facing climate-vulnerable developing countries, with continuing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and unequally felt climate change impacts now being exacerbated by the spillover effects from the Ukraine war.
IFI governance
Analysis
G24 communiqué analysis – Spring Meetings 2022
G24 finance ministers called for urgent global action to mitigate the effects of rising debt levels in emerging economies, and rising global food, energy and commodity prices.
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2022 Preamble: War in Ukraine risks deepening divergent recovery as World Bank and IMF prepare for Spring Meetings
War in Ukraine will have significant spillover effects as Global South continues to carry the burden of vaccine inequity. Debt, austerity and evolving food crisis key talking points of Meetings while unequal recovery, gender, RST and surcharges key issues at CSPF.
