An audit of the IFC's investments in financial intermediaries reveals a lack of assessment of environmental and social impacts.
Aid
Finance
Commentary
Hastily introduced World Bank projects threaten to undermine peace process in Burma
In late 2012 the World Bank announced its first lending to Burma in over 20 years. The concern among many grassroots activists, however, is that the areas to which this money will be funnelled are still in the earliest stages of the peace process, and that huge influxes of money will undermine efforts for sustainable peace.
Environment
News
World Bank and climate change
A new Bank report warns about the impacts of climate change, but concerns have been raised about its own track record. While the Bank has increased its renewable energy share, its continued funding of fossil fuels and focus on large scale dams remain controversial.
Accountability
News
Kim's World Bank strategy: real change or "PR exercise"?
The World Bank's new president Jim Yong Kim set out his vision for the institution at the Bank's annual meetings in mid October, but his desire to build a 'solutions' bank and end absolute poverty comes with few details or big changes at the Bank. Next year's replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA) will put Kim's vision to the test.
IFI governance
Background
World Bank lending facilities
The World Bank's investment lending (ILs) have been joined in recent years by new lending instruments, whilst IL itself faces an overhaul, as the Bank's operational policies come under review and pilots for the use of 'country systems' mature. The Bank is presently using four lending instruments: investment lending, development policy lending (DPL), Program-for-Results, and the World Bank guarantee program.
Accountability
News
World Bank returns to Burma amid criticism
After leaving over suspended debt repayment in the late 1980s, the Bank officially returned to Burma, also known as Myanmar, in early August.
Environment
News
World Bank's climate record in the dark
As the World Bank officially stepped into its role as interim trustee of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's (UNFCCC) new Green Climate Fund (GCF), its track record on fossil fuel investments continues to raise concerns.
Accountability
News
World Bank safeguards under scrutiny
With the World Bank's safeguards review due to be launched, indigenous groups and civil society organisations (CSOs) called for it to be rigorous and extensive. Meanwhile, the environmental and social track record of the Bank and its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has come under scrutiny in India, Colombia and Brazil.
Finance
News
World Bank urged to review Rwandan support
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has asked the World Bank to review its support for Rwanda in the light of strong evidence of its "disregard of fundamental human rights", including killings of civilians, sexual violence, forced recruitment of children and torture.
Accountability
Background
IFI re-engagement in Burma
Minutes of Burma and IFIs meeting, Washington DC, 18 April 2012
