The Inspection Panel's Pilot is criticised for undermining the Panel’s authority, allowing World Bank management to circumvent compliance investigations, and perpetuating existing power imbalances between the Bank, its clients and communities.
Compliance mechanisms
Rights
News
Renewed warnings over World Bank safeguards “dilution”
Further concerns have been raised over dilutions of the World Bank’s proposed new safeguards framework, as controversy arose over a Bank waiver of the indigenous peoples policy for a Tanzania project.
Accountability
News
World Bank accountability mechanisms look to improve complainant protection
In response to increasing concern about the safety of human rights and environmental defenders, the World Bank’s accountability mechanisms look to improve complainant protection against retaliation and intimidation.
Infrastructure
News
Investigation on World Bank support for Mongolia mining project deferred
The Inspection Panel has deferred a decision to investigate a complaint regarding environmental, social and economic damage related to a World Bank funded mining project in Mongolia.
Accountability
Analysis
Where’s the remedy? Development banks must do more to remedy harm caused by the activities they finance
A report assessing the effectiveness of 11 development bank’s accountability systems found that they are not effective at consistently providing remedy to those harmed.
Rights
News
World Bank fails to support project critics
Concerns have been raised about the safety of critics of World Bank projects and the adequacy of the Inspection Panel, as a new Bank grievance mechanism has been launched.
Accountability
News
World Bank Uganda road project cancelled
The World Bank has suspended a loan to Uganda in response to multiple failures.
IFI governance
Background
Guide to the IMF's Independent Evaluation Office
Understanding the Independent Evaluation Office of the IMF, including how it works and how civil society can input into its evaluations.
Accountability
Analysis
Moving beyond aspirations? IFC still unable to determine the impact of its financial intermediaries investments
A new monitoring report by the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman concludes that the IFC still lacks a mechanism to determine whether its financial intermediaries investments do no harm or have a positive development impact
IFI governance
Analysis
Watchdog warns World Bank private-sector lending reforms show progress, but still fall short
Joint statement by Bretton Woods Project, Eurodad and Oxfam International highlights a new report from the World Bank's watchdog, criticising the IFC's lending
Featured briefings
12 December 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2024
16 October 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2024
16 October 2024
The lost call for international financial architecture reform in the G20
At the 80th anniversary of the World Bank and IMF, global civil society must maintain pressure on the Brazilian and South African G20 presidencies to ensure the forth Financing for Development Conference in 2025 results in urgently required international financial architecture reform.