In the absence of transformative reform blocked by geopolitical fragmentation, the World Bank and IMF continue addressing global challenges with short-term, misguided measures of trickledown economics and private sector over reliance.
Analysis
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2023 Preamble: Threats to multilateral system and to achievement of development goals mount as hopes of substantive reform at World Bank and IMF wane
Spring Meetings unlikely to deliver structural reforms required to respond to worsening polycrisis, as Global North-driven World Bank reform set to divert attention from poverty and inequality and geopolitical tensions dampen hopes of new SDR allocation and IMF quota reform.
IFI governance
Analysis
Democratic deficit in World Bank presidential appointment: Where is the evolution?
The World Bank Group needs to address its democratic deficit and lack of accountability. As it prepares to elect a new president and implement its “evolution roadmap”, it should use these key opportunities to embrace a profound reform.
IFI governance
Analysis
The IMF at the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The need for governance reform
As the world celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is time the IMF’s shareholders use the opportunities provided by the anniversary and growing calls for reforms to the international financial architecture to redesign the IMF’s governance structures and programmes to ensure they are consistent with the commitments outlined in 1948 and with international human rights law.
Finance
Analysis
The global financial architecture and the international debt crisis: An urgent call for reform
Influence of unreformed international financial institutions and creditor interests in debt solutions in low- and middle-income countries plagued by delay and ineffective when undertaken.
Finance
Analysis
Against regressive taxes and austerity: IMF and World Bank must pivot tax policies to support a just and green transition
This year, 85 per cent of the world’s population lives under austerity measures, while multinational enterprises and the wealthy have benefited from privileged tax structures and regressivity, allowing inequality to widen.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank and IMF influence casts shadow over South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership
World Bank’s support for fossil fuel projects, including problem-riddled Medupi coal power station, leaves its reputation in tatters with South African civil society.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMF quota review: Putting climate at the core of IMF governance reform
Addition of cumulative carbon emissions indicator in IMF quota formula would give climate-vulnerable countries greater voice in IMF.
Gender
Analysis
New IMF gender strategy's potential to catalyse change undermined by austerity and problematic mission creep
IMF’s new gender mainstreaming strategy makes effort to include civil society demands but falls short of transformative vision as austerity remains Fund’s raison-d’état.
IFI governance
Analysis
V20 communiqué analysis Annual Meetings 2022: Climate vulnerable countries call for debt relief and a revamped IMF
The finance ministers for the Vulnerable Group of Twenty, a bloc of 58 developing country economies representing some 1.5 billion people, issued a communiqué on 16 October.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMFC Chair's Statement analysis Annual Meetings 2022: Scrambling for new ideas to tackle inflation, debt, and climate change
IMFC chair statement condemns Russia’s war while scrambling for new ideas to tackle inflation, debt, and climate change, as Covid response fades from attention.
IFI governance
Analysis
G24 communiqué analysis Annual Meetings 2022: G24 echoes calls for more drastic measures by international financial institutions
G24 communiqué echoes calls for more drastic measures by international financial institutions to cushion the blow for low- and middle-income countries in the face of compounding global crises.
Featured briefings
16 October 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2024
16 October 2024
The lost call for international financial architecture reform in the G20
At the 80th anniversary of the World Bank and IMF, global civil society must maintain pressure on the Brazilian and South African G20 presidencies to ensure the forth Financing for Development Conference in 2025 results in urgently required international financial architecture reform.
16 October 2024
Sustainable development requires sustainable finance: why local currency financing is part of the solution
Multilateral development banks can reduce their dependence on hard currency lending and make local currency financing a central element of their developmental mandate.