Sponsor: Bank on Human Rights Panelists: Isabel Lavadenz-Paccieri (Former Ombudsperson for the Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism,…
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
IFI governance
Background
The World Bank's approach to gender mainstreaming
The World Bank's current approach to gender mainstreaming promotes women's empowerment as "smart economics" that serves a dual equality-development purpose. This approach, which largely ignores non-economic sources of gender inequality, has been criticised for its narrow, market-driven focus.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank’s thirst for hydropower
The World Bank and IFC continue push for controversial hydropower, with projects in Guatemala, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Africa, Niger, Pakistan and Macedonia. The Bank warned on long term viability of hydropower, as Uruguay’s state hydro company agreed insurance with the Bank.
Environment
Analysis
A faulty model?
This paper critically assesses the appropriateness of the Bank-housed Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) as a model for the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It takes proposals and recommendations by civil society groups and uses them as benchmarks to analyse the CIFs. It finds that in terms of institutional arrangements the CIFs have achieved some notable progress, however, in operations and performance there are serious concerns.
Accountability
Analysis
Conference summary: Private Sector Turn
On November 22nd 2010, CounterBalance and the Bretton Woods Project hosted a conference in London on "The Private Sector Turn" - the increasing shift from public to private funding in development finance, the forms it takes and what it means for activists and affected people. What follows is a summary of the day's proceedings.
Infrastructure
Background
Private sector investment in energy lending and climate finance
Meeting notes of 'Private sector investment in energy lending and climate finance'
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 1
Donors have pledged $6.2 billion to the World Bank hosted Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) making them big players in current climate finance. The last three months have seen the Scaling Up Renewable Energy programme launched, new country investment plans endorsed by the Clean Technology Fund, and pilot countries selected for the Forest Investment Programme. A discussion paper, commissioned by the CIFs Administrative Unit has begun to look at lessons that can be learnt and incorporated in the rol
Infrastructure
News
More fossil fuels and faith in the private sector
As part of its commitment to solve the global problems of energy poverty and climate change, in late March the World Bank and the European Investment Bank launched the Carbon Fund for Europe. However the Bank’s recent Implementation of the Management Response to the Extractive Industries Review 2006 reveals an alarming rise in its fossil fuel operations and show that little progress has been made on its environment and development indicators.
Rights
News
Bank directors bound by rights obligations
A report by a coalition of German NGOs finds that Germany extra-territorial obligations extend to its role in multilateral development banks.
IFI governance
News
Only 22% of info requests fulfilled
A new study released in October by the Global Transparency Initiative undermines IFI claims to increased transparency.
Accountability
Commentary
Time to listen to Lesotho! - The World Bank and its new anti-corruption agenda
Comment piece by Hennie Van Vuuren on corruption and bribery in the Bank-supported Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme
Rights
Commentary
The Bank and Fund: do civil society groups in the Arab region realise what’s going on?
Comment by the Arab NGO Network for Development on the need for civil society in the region to take a more active role in monitoring the work of the IFIs.
