For decades, the Arab region has embarked on a series of IMF-prescribed energy subsidy reforms, which have contributed to increased poverty levels.
Conditionality impacts
Conditionality
Commentary
Conditionally yours
New analysis reveals the IMF’s increasing use of controversial conditions attached to loans.
Finance
News
IMF augments new lending facilities after earlier reviews
An IMF review of three new lending facilities has resulted in only "cosmetic" changes critics say.
Conditionality
News
World Bank criticised for rejecting Doing Business reform
In response to the World Bank’s rejection of significant reform to its revised Doing Business Report methodology, civil society organisations wrote a letter in July to Bank president Jim Yong Kim.
Conditionality
Analysis
IMF: Ukraine's "tough programme"; Egypt next?
The IMF’s provision of an exceptional access loan to Ukraine was presented as vital economic support, but many commentators fear that this loan is driven as much by political as economic necessity. Despite emphasising increased sensitivity to country circumstances, Fund policy recommendations in Egypt are very similar to its prescriptions for Ukraine.
Knowledge
News
Business as usual: World Bank rejects Doing Business reforms
World Bank publishes minor changes to its Doing Business report, addressing only one of the criticisms of an independent panel review while activists continue to highlight the damage done by the rankings.
Finance
News
Ghana under pressure: IMF loan feared
Fierce debate in Ghana over whether to turn to the IMF for support, as its economic growth and debt profile come under pressure. IMF warns on risks to Ghana’s “transformation agenda” and whole region’s debt levels and growth
Finance
News
Argentina's creditors accused of “vulture-like behaviour”
Argentina has agreed a deal with its Paris Club creditors, which have been accused of aggressive behaviour in demanding repayment of double the original debt.
Conditionality
Background
Reforming IMF conditionality. Where do we stand?
12 April 2014 Notes provided by Jeroen Kwakkenboes, Eurodad Sponsors: Arab NGO Network for Development…
Conditionality
Background
IMF recommendations to Arab countries in transition: Challenges & prospects
Sponsors: Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND); Bretton Woods Project; Middle East Task Force of…
Featured briefings
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.
16 October 2024
Sustainable development requires sustainable finance: why local currency financing is part of the solution
Multilateral development banks can reduce their dependence on hard currency lending and make local currency financing a central element of their developmental mandate.