Finance

Analysis

UN Financing for Development: The best chance to democratise global economic governance?

As Bretton Woods Institutions fail to deliver transformative, systematic reform of deeply unequal global architecture, countries should embrace a more democratic space: the United Nations Financing for Development process

IFI governance

Analysis

G24 communiqué analysis Spring Meetings 2023: In a world in crisis, BWIs need bold reform

The G24 communiqué of the 2023 Spring Meetings left no doubt about the gravity of the state of global affairs, including rising extreme poverty, food insecurity, migration and forced displacement.

IFI governance

Analysis

G20 press briefing analysis Spring Meetings 2023: Deep divisions and limited ambitions hinder response to the polycrisis

Despite pressing global issues, including a mounting debt crisis in low- and middle-income countries, the G20 failed to release a communique following the meeting of its finance ministers on 13 April at the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings.

IFI governance

Analysis

V20 communiqué analysis Spring Meetings 2023: Climate vulnerable countries call for global financial architecture fit to tackle climate and debt emergencies

V20 called for substantive debt relief and increased concessional financing to help break vicious cycle of debt and Loss and Damage, and spur ‘climate-positive development’.

IFI governance

Analysis

Spring Meetings 2023 Wrap up: Bretton Woods Institutions fail to deliver a transformative ‘evolution’

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.

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.

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

News

A different ‘evolution roadmap’: Havana conference calls for changes in world order hierarchy

As IMF and World Bank tinker at margins, 50 policymakers, diplomats and academics from over 26 countries issue Havana Declaration calling for an assertion of Southern power and the building of a new "planetary bloc".

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.

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.