Fears of further clampdown on protesters emerge as Zimbabwe implements Fund-backed economic reforms.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Finance
News
IMF and World Bank complicit in “climate debt trap” following Mozambique cyclones
International community fails to deliver on 'Loss & Damage' while poorest countries become further indebted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IFI governance
News
Quota reform impasse likely as IMF faces legitimacy crisis
Latest Review of Quotas expected to be quashed, as US signals it will block reform.
IFI governance
News
New IMF surveillance tool launched
Bretton Woods Project publishes new online tool to search IMF Article IV reports.
IFI governance
News
Follow IMFBoss.com
BWP relaunches IMFBoss.com opening a space for civil society, researchers, academics, officials, insiders and anonymous contributors to share and exchange their ideas and criticisms about the IMF's leadership process, and is now open to new contributions and content.
IFI governance
Background
What is the ‘gentleman’s agreement’?
Leadership of the IMF and World Bank has been guided by a historical 'gentleman's agreement' between Europe and the United States. What does this agreement entail? And how could it be reformed?
WB/IMF roles
Background
What are the main criticisms of the World Bank and the IMF?
The IMF and World Bank continue to be amongst the most relevant and significant powerful norm-setters, convenors, knowledge-holders and influencers of the international development and financial landscape. This Inside the Institutions sets-out some of the most common criticisms of the World Bank and IMF under three broad lenses: democratic governance, human rights and the environment.
Featured briefings
6 April 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2022
8 December 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2021
8 November 2021
IMF surveillance and climate change transition risks
New briefing by ActionAid USA and the Bretton Woods Project highlights research showing that IMF policy advice has undermined a just energy transition since the Paris Agreement was signed.