As the world ponders the fate of a beleaguered multilateralism on the 75th anniversary of the Bank and Fund, both fail to act on essential governance reforms and opt to maintain the unjust privilege of the Global North.
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IFC
IFI governance
Analysis
Development Committee communiqué analysis – Spring 2019
Analysis of the Development Committee communiqué published on 13 April.
IFI governance
Analysis
G24 communiqué analysis – Spring 2019
Analysis of the IMFC communiqué, issued on 13 April, from the 2019 World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, Washington DC.
Land
Commentary
The highest bidder takes it all: The World Bank's new scheme to privatise land in the Global South
World Bank Enabling the Business of Agriculture rankings prescribe land privatisation at the expense of family farmers, pastoralists, and Indigenous Peoples.
Accountability
News
US Supreme Court rules against World Bank’s claim of absolute immunity
US Supreme Court rejects IFC's immunity from suits in the US in landmark case
Environment
Analysis
World Bank's investment in Seven Energy in Nigeria once again calls Bank's due diligence into question
World Bank's due diligence processes highly suspect as it invests a quarter of a billion dollars in Nigerian Seven Energy, where several individuals associated with the company’s flagship contract are now either on the run or charged with money laundering.
Environment
News
As climate crisis bites, World Bank further distances itself from coal
International Finance Corporation announced new ‘green equity’ policy to encourage financial intermediaries to divest from coal, while Bank pulled plug on mooted Kosovo coal project.
IFI governance
Commentary
Bank and Fun(d) speak of the year: 12 days of Christmas – an ode to the World Bank & IMF’s 2018
At the end of every year, the Bretton Woods Project highlights some of the most farcical remarks of Fund and World Bank staff. This time, it’s set to music.
Other news
Finance
Background
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Shifting the IFI Narrative to Progressive Gender-just Taxation
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 12 April on the changing international tax landscape from a feminist perspective and challenging IFIs’ role in shaping it at the World Bank and IMF's 2019 Spring Meetings.
Knowledge
Background
Recommended resources on the World Bank and IMF: 2018
BOOKS Enforcing the rules in a global economy: The emergence of structural conditionality in the…
Rights
News
Civil society calls for more protection of human rights defenders in development as IFC publishes position
Defenders in Development Campaign welcomes IFC’s position on retaliation against human rights defenders in development but call for more specific actions
Private Sector
News
IFC launches consultation on draft Operating Principles for Impact Management
As IFC launches consultation on draft Principles, its declining development outcome performance as 'first impact investor' provides useful point of departure.
Accountability
News
US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on challenge to IFC’s absolute immunity
Plaintiffs make case for ending IFC's 'absolute immunity'
Rights
News
World Bank dispute arbitration mechanism publishes proposed rule changes
The World Bank-funded International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes has published its proposed changes to its rules for resolving disputes between states and foreign investors, with ongoing consultation.
Rights
News
Workers unite after IFC fails to comply with its labour standard
Malaysian workers certify union of choice despite efforts of IFC-backed company.
Infrastructure
News
Civil society calls on IFC and other MDBs to stop financing damaging Balkan dams
A June petition signed by more than 120,000 people called on IFIs, “to immediately stop funding for projects that are located in protected areas.”
