World Bank’s new Business-Ready (B-Ready) index offers new measures but reductionist approach, ultimately rewarding countries driving down labour rights in favour of business.
Commentary
Private Sector
Commentary
IFC standards review must respond to UN’s call for rights-based transition mineral value chains
Amid escalating transition minerals mining, the expected 2025 review of IFC’s Performance Standards must result in a new approach.
Conditionality
Commentary
Economics is political: the IMF’s programme in Egypt can’t succeed without reforming both
More debt without tackling the political sources of Egypt’s economic problems means a deepening of the crisis.
Finance
Commentary
Better ways to reduce the pain of debt crises for developing countries?
Amid challenging global conditions, proposals to address liquidity issues must be urgently matched by a reformed, development-focused international financial architecture.
IFI governance
Commentary
A dizzying ride down the cascade of Bank and Fund double-speak in 2023
From the gentleman's agreement and carbon taxes to B-Ready and the Evolution Roadmap Playbook, the BWIs took us for another ride down the cascade of buzzwords in 2023. Join the BWP gourmets in savouring the word salad.
IFI governance
Commentary
BWP's reaction to the resignation of World Bank's President David Malpass
The new World Bank's president should be appointed through a merit-based, transparent process with criteria publicly available and candidates being able to present their platform.
Land
Commentary
Ukraine's post-war agricultural recovery: Returning to the way things were is not enough
World Bank and other international financial institutions need to ensure Ukraine’s agriculture sector reforms lead to increased liquidity for smaller farms and ensure local development, environmentally sustainable investments and a transparent land market.
Finance
Commentary
Financial liberalisation, capital controls and development in Africa: The case of Uganda
Financial liberation has had a significant effect on Uganda’s economy opening the door for significant foreign ownership while facilitating the ongoing extraction of wealth.
Rights
Commentary
Civil society calls on World Bank and IMF to safeguard civic space and prevent retaliation around Marrakesh Annual Meetings
To prevent repression and retaliation at their Annual Meetings in Marrakesh, World Bank and IMF must work proactively with MENA civil society and Moroccan authorities on safeguarding civic space and upholding free speech.
Environment
Commentary
Bridgetown Initiative calls for new Global Climate Mitigation Trust financed via Special Drawing Rights
IMF’s lending instruments fail to provide swift and large-scale funding for climate transition. The Bridgeton Initiative proposes a new trust backed by $500 billion in SDRs for climate and development.
Finance
Commentary
Civil society organizations urge end to IMF surcharges to finance climate action instead
More than 300 organisations and individuals call upon the IMF to urgently address one of the most glaring and easily rectifiable contradictions between its stated support for a just transition and its actions by immediately ending its surcharge policy.
Finance
Commentary
Quota reform needed at IMF in order to address 21st century challenges
As economic conditions worsen and the Fund's legitimacy comes under increasing pressure, IMF leaders gathering for the Annual Meetings must make progress on ongoing review of IMF quotas and agree a more equitable formula and distribution of voting power.
