Robin Broad, professor in the School of International Service at American University, describes six mechanisms by which the World Bank's development economics vice-presidency performs a "paradigm-maintenance" role, privileging individuals whose work "resonates" with the neo-liberal free-market ideology.
Compliance mechanisms
Accountability
Background
Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) - regional launch
This is a summary of the Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) regional launch held at Westminster on the 2nd of November 2006.
Accountability
News
BTC: destruction, abuse and betrayal
In July, as the oil in the IFC-supported Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline finally began flowing a year behind schedule, civil society groups from affected countries and elsewhere presented evidence of destruction, abuse and betrayal.
Accountability
News
Independence of IMF’s evaluation arm questioned
In an evaluation of the IMF Independent Evaluation Office's first five years of work, an external committee concluded that the IMF board may have undue influence over the body. Additionally the IEO set itself an ambitious work plan for the next year, as it plans to delve into the Fund's internal organisation and trade policy
Accountability
News
Bank anti-corruption framework: "A lot of rhetoric and arm-waving"?
Amidst a storm of controversy about the causes and solutions to corruption, the World Bank has announced a corruption amnesty and released an anti-corruption framework. The issue is high on the global development agenda, as the Bank pulls project finance in Indonesia and Cambodia, and the fiasco continues over oil revenues in Chad.
Accountability
News
Justice or conditionality by another name? World Bank at the Human Rights Council
In a statement at the first session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2006, Joseph Ingram, special representative of the World Bank to the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation stated that the advancement of human rights is "critical" to the Bank's own poverty reduction mission, including the "global fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance.
Accountability
News
Justice or conditionality by another name?
In a statement at the first session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2006, the World Bank stated that the advancement of human rights is "critical" to its poverty reduction mission, including the "global fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance". It has been greeted with scepticism from civil society.
Accountability
News
Request for inspection of West Africa gas pipeline
In April, the Ifesowapo Host Communities Forum in Nigeria requested the Inspection Panel investigate the West African Gas Pipeline project.
Accountability
News
Bank stumped on Uruguayan paper mills
The IFC and MIGA have been unable to manage the international dispute created by their proposed investment in two pulp and paper mills in Uruguay, and show no signs of setting a board date for considering Bank support.
Accountability
Commentary
Using human rights tribunal to force Bank compliance: Uruguayan paper mill
The recent filing of two international complaints against a planned Bank-financed world's-largest paper mill in Uruguay is a unique experiment in bringing World Bank projects under the scrutiny of international human rights tribunals.
Featured briefings
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.
15 April 2025
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2025
2 April 2025