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IFC

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.

8 December 2022

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.

8 December 2022 | Guest comment

Environment

News

World Bank’s update on Paris alignment fizzles at COP27 as countries demand MDBs evolve to face climate emergency

Despite continued public rhetoric about importance of civil society engagement, Bank is yet to commit to holding a public consultation period on its Paris alignment approach.

8 December 2022

IFI governance

Analysis

Annual Meetings 2022 Preamble: With risk of global recession on horizon, World Bank and IMF's ability to offer credible solutions remains in question

Economic turmoil and geopolitical fragmentation will provide the backdrop to the first in-person World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings since 2019.

6 October 2022

Gender

Background

The World Bank's approach to gender mainstreaming

This Inside the Institutions looks at the World Bank’s current approach to gender mainstreaming, reflecting on and comparing it to previous Bank approaches to addressing gender inequality.

8 December 2022 | Inside the institutions

Accountability

News

World Bank’s accountability mechanisms - still a long way to go

57 CSOs highlight need for operational changes in the World Bank’s new accountability scheme to ensure its effectiveness.

4 October 2022

Land

Analysis

World Bank and IMF’s response to global food crisis misses mark, as financial speculation drives food prices to historic highs

Action plan launched by Bretton Woods Institutions and other IFIs ignores role of corporatisation of agriculture in contributing to current crisis.

21 July 2022

Accountability

Analysis

Ending “absolute immunity” for the International Finance Corporation: The legacy of Jam v. IFC

EarthRights International examines how the Jam v. IFC case has helped to shift the landscape of accountability for international financial institutions by successfully challenging their claim to “absolute” immunity in US courts, potentially opening IFC up to further legal challenges in future.

21 July 2022 | At Issue
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Other news

IFI governance

Background

Implications of financial deepening for inequality and its impact on gender, poverty, and marginalization

Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum panel on 14 October 2022 titled "Implications of financial deepening for inequality and its impact on gender, poverty, and marginalization."

14 October 2022 | Minutes

IFI governance

Background

Greening whole economies? Unpacking World Bank plans for Paris alignment by July 2023

Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum event on 14 October titled "Greening whole economies? Unpacking World Bank plans for Paris alignment by July 2023."

14 October 2022 | Minutes

IFI governance

Background

IFC, Uber and the gig economy: deregulation and labour flexibilisation as a “women’s empowerment” strategy

Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum panel on 13 October titled "IFC, Uber and the gig economy: deregulation and labour flexibilisation as a 'women’s empowerment' strategy,"

13 October 2022 | Minutes

IFI governance

Background

MISSING RECEIPTS: How did DFIs’ covid-19 response affect human and environmental rights during the pandemic?

Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum event on April 11, 2022, on: "MISSING RECEIPTS: How did DFIs’ COVID-19 Response Affect Human and Environmental Rights during the Pandemic?"

11 April 2022 | Minutes

Rights

News

'Uber Files' and 'Back off BlackRock' campaign expose 'pink washing' as the heart of corporate women's economic empowerment agenda

Uber Leaks and cancelled BlackRock and UN Women partnership highlight contradiction of corporate ‘pink washing’ interests with IFI gender commitments.

4 October 2022

Social services

News

World Bank’s IFC ends funding for fee-paying primary and secondary schools

Independent Evaluation Group report highlighted private sector education provision can exacerbate inequality and undermine the public sector school system.

21 July 2022

Finance

News

Restart of Pakistan’s IMF loan agreement collapses with change in government, as soaring costs of IFC-supported LNG add to fiscal pain

Pakistan increases fuel prices in effort to meet IMF conditions, while cost of importing LNG surges.

21 July 2022

Land

News

IFC approves loan to industrial agriculture producer in Brazil despite pleas for protection of sensitive grassland biome

World Bank’s IFC $200 loan for large-scale agricultural production in Brazil disregards serious human rights and environmental concerns, despite calls by 200 civil society organisations globally

21 July 2022
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