From South Africa to Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, the Bank and Fund have demonstrated they are not appropriate allies to address the scale of the crisis the world is facing, especially, given their record.
Anti-corruption
Accountability
News
CSOs raise concerns about conflict of interest related to World Bank technical assistance loan in Guyana
Law firm contracted under World Bank technical assistance apparently backs out after CSOs expose links to ExxonMobil.
Accountability
News
IMF faces wave of calls to suspend loan disbursements in Africa
Activists call for suspension of IMF disbursements, raising alarm about lack of accountability for several African loans.
Environment
News
World Bank cancels Bisri dam project in Lebanon after years of community resistance
Environmental groups and activists claim victory after years of campaigning.
Accountability
Background
Tracking the trillions: Emergency funds, corruption and making the Covid-19 recovery work for all
Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum at the 2020 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings 29 September session on corruption and Covid-19 recovery.
Accountability
News
Ukraine: Between a rock and IMF conditionality
Alarm bells ringing as Ukraine struggles to meet IMF conditionality on fuel prices and anti-corruption approach criticised
Accountability
News
World Bank's procurement policy review continues
In November 2013 the World Bank board approved a proposed new framework on procurement for its clients.
Accountability
News
World Bank reviews sanctions regime
The World Bank has begun reviewing its sanctions regime, but has been criticised by civil society for its lack of transparency.
Accountability
News
Indrawati under investigation over Indonesian banking scandal
In early May, World Bank managing director Sri Mulyani Indrawati answered questions from the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission in relation to a 6.7 trillion rupiah ($675 million) 2008 bailout of Bank Century.
Accountability
Background
Bending the arc of poverty
The session focused on the World Bank's development strategy, poverty eradication goals, global inequality, and the threat of climate change.
Featured briefings
15 July 2025
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2025
15 July 2025
Will the World Bank be a partner for a just energy transition in developing countries?
As renewable energy finance shifts from China to the World Bank, whether the Bank can be a partner for a just energy transition depends on three areas: strong environmental and social oversight, avoiding a new resource curse in minerals and debt relief during crises.
9 June 2025
New data reveal World Bank DPF ‘climate finance’ carries strong private sector bias, undermining a just transition
New BWP briefing finds the World Bank counted 70 per cent of energy-sector reforms in Development Policy Financing as having 'climate co-benefits' between 2018-2023 - but most of these promoted a private-led energy transition.