New common framework for debt relief announced at G20 Leaders’ Summit maintains prominent role of IMF and fails to include World Bank debt relief.
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World Bank Group
IFI governance
Analysis
Gambling with our lives: Global emergencies expose consequences of decades of IMF and World Bank policies
Market-led policy approaches increasingly used to deal with both climate and health emergencies are failing to protect those most vulnerable.
Rights
Analysis
World Bank reparations demanded for murder of frontline South African anti-coal activist
Community demands reparations from World Bank for murder of South African environmental activist Fikile Ntshangase for opposing the Tendele coal mine initially financed by IFC.
IFI governance
Analysis
Biden, the Bank and IMF: A break with ‘America first’ or its continued pursuit through multilateral means?
The world awaits to see whether Trump’s defeat will result in the end of the 'America First' approach and a democratisation of the IMF and World Bank and the multilateral system.
Rights
News
Unions raise alarm over alleged retaliatory firing at IFC-financed Guinea hotel
IFC accused of violation of performance standards after alleged retaliatory action against workers.
Finance
News
First gathering of world’s public development banks fails to deliver concrete commitments
World Bank and other MDBs fail to sign on to general declaration as multilateral leadership on solutions to climate, debt and inequality crises remains inadequate.
Environment
News
Eni files ICSID arbitration request linked to controversial Nigeria oil deal
Case continues troubling trend of increased ISDS claims from fossil fuel industry.
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings 2020 Wrap Up: Bank and Fund struggle to implement sustainable recovery as private sector dashes hopes of debt relief progress
The rising power of the private sector has undermined debt justice and much-needed pandemic response capacity, while IFIs' calls for sustainable recovery at the Annual Meetings fall flat.
Other news
Environment
News
World Bank cancels Bisri dam project in Lebanon after years of community resistance
Environmental groups and activists claim victory after years of campaigning.
IFI governance
News
Delays in Inspection Panel eligibility decision in Nepal risk “irreversible damage”
Panel yet to rule on case filed in April despite receiving consultant's report.
Environment
News
IFC’s first Green Equity Approach client backs Indonesian coal plant expansion
CSOs call for IFC to close remaining loopholes in Green Equity Approach, after equity client chosen to pilot the initiative makes investment in coal plant expansion in Indonesia.
IFI governance
News
New CAO vice president urged to fight for CAO independence
Civil society call on newly appointed CAO vice president to safeguard CAO’s independence and fight for full implementation of recent external review of IFC and MIGA accountability framework.
IFI governance
News
World Bank and IMF delay Morocco’s hosting of Annual Meetings until October 2022
Marrakesh was due to host 2021 meetings prior to announcement.
Finance
Background
Who can borrow from the World Bank?
The different arms of the World Bank Group lend money to developing countries and private enterprises.
Environment
News
MIGA considering support for Guinea’s Nimba mining project in UNESCO heritage site
The Mount Nimba nature reserve has been listed as a World Heritage site since 1981 but classified as "in danger" since 1992, in part due to the threat of iron-ore mining.
Social services
News
World Bank abandons pandemic bond instrument after disastrous Covid-19 response
World Bank’s pandemic bond instrument scrapped after high visibility Covid-19 failure
Featured briefings
14 December 2020
Gambling with our lives: Global emergencies expose consequences of decades of IMF and World Bank policies
Market-led policy approaches increasingly used to deal with both climate and health emergencies are failing to protect those most vulnerable.
10 December 2020
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2020
12 October 2020