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.
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IBRD
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings Wrap-up: 'Headwinds' overshadow Bali holiday
Despite the idyllic setting and notwithstanding recent global growth, the 2018 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings took place in a context of apprehension, which seemed unmatched by forceful action.
IFI governance
Analysis
Development Committee communiqué analysis – Autumn 2018
Analysis of the Development Committee communiqué released on 13 October at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali.
IFI governance
Analysis
G24 communiqué analysis - Annual Meetings 2018
Analysis of the G24 communiqué, issued on 11 October at the 2018 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali.
Accountability
Analysis
Fragile, handle with care: The World Bank’s approach to FCS questioned
IEG critiques of Bank operations in FCS gain relevance as stakeholders push Bank to increase lending.
IFI governance
Analysis
IEG findings cast doubt on Bank's ability to deliver on general capital increase
New IEG report raises questions about the Bank’s ability to use findings from evaluations to inform its operations.
IFI governance
Analysis
Development Committee communiqué analysis - Spring 2018
Analysis of the Development Committee communiqué issued on 21 April, from the 2018 World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, Washington DC.
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2018 Preamble: Despite favourable growth trends, World Bank and IMF's attempts to tackle debt and inequality remain elusive
On the ten-year anniversary of the financial crisis, the World Bank and IMF have much to ponder ahead of the upcoming 2018 Spring Meetings.
Other news
Accountability
News
IFC capital increase not a priority for US Congress
US Congress yet to approve World Bank’s proposed capital increase agreed in 2018.
IFI governance
Background
UK civil society meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson
Notes from a meeting with the UK World Bank Executive Director on 6 July 2018.
IFI governance
News
World Bank general capital increase to be formalised in October
World Bank board to formalise contentious general capital increase at October Annual Meetings
IFI governance
Background
UK civil society meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson
Notes of a meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson on 19 March 2018.
IFI governance
News
World Bank appoints Georgieva as CEO of IBRD and IDA
In October, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim announced the appointment of Kristalina Georgieva as chief executive officer of IBRD and IDA.
IFI governance
Background
Recommended resources on the World Bank and IMF 2016
The Bretton Woods Project's selection of the best books, reports and other resources on the World Bank and IMF from 2016.
Rights
News
Complaint lodged for forced labour in IFC-funded project in Uzbekistan
Forced labour victim and human rights defenders have filed a complaint with CAO, alleging that IFC knowingly finances a company benefiting from forced labour.
Infrastructure
News
New report highlights lack of MDB spending on energy access for the poor
A new report by Sierra Club and Oil Change International highlights the need for MDBs to establish criteria for energy access for the poor within their energy portfolios in order to achieve the goal of universal energy access by 2030.
Featured briefings
30 July 2019
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2019
30 July 2019
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.
4 April 2019