This session highlighted the perspectives of finance ministers, policy makers, and academics on the need to ensure timely, effective international adjustment in a manner consistent with sustained global growth and continued adherence to the system of open, dynamic international trade and payments constructed over the past 65 years.
Debt
IFI governance
Beyond HIPC - towards a fair and transparent debt workout mechanism
This session facilitated an exchange of views among representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector regarding the implementation of reform proposals.
Finance
News
IMF commits gold windfall to PRGT, concerns this risks "entrenching" LIC debts
As the IMF reviews lending facilities, it has decided to commit windfall profits to financing such lending, raising concerns that this may prolong poor nations' indebtedness.
Conditionality
News
IMF's "incompetence" and "failures" in Europe led to "suffering"
The IMF's role as a member of the Troika, the grouping of the European Central Bank (ECB), European Commission and the Fund in the eurozone crisis, is attracting new criticism. Deepening recessions in eurozone nations have brought the efficacy and appropriateness of Troika-led reforms into question.
Accountability
News
IMF lending politically influenced?
The hypothesis that IMF lending is subject to political influence, "cannot be discarded" according to Andrea Presbitero and Alberto Zazzaro in the Autumn 2012 edition of World Development.
IFI governance
News
IMF's debt restructuring
In August, the IMF published data on sovereign debt restructuring cases between 1950 and 2010, detailing pitfalls in the process including creditor holdouts and litigation, communication amongst stakeholders and the scope of debt relief in past restructurings.
IFI governance
News
IMF poverty focus challenged
In the middle of a review of its lending facilities for low-income countries (LICs) and a funding drive for more concessional resources, the IMF is facing criticism over its conditionality and a review of its debt sustainability framework.
Conditionality
News
Eurozone meltdown: IMF providing "political cover"
As European elections show the public increasingly rejecting austerity, critics call on the IMF to focus on the flaws of the eurozone rather than austerity in country programmes.
Conditionality
News
IMF and debt hold Jamaica back
A report published in May by the US-based Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) found that an overwhelming debt burden and conditions on IMF loans are hindering Jamaica's economic recovery.
Finance
Background
How can the IMF enhance its focus on growth and poverty reduction in LICS?
A civil society meeting held at the World Bank and the IMF hold their 2012 spring meetings in Washington DC on Friday 20th April.
Featured briefings
6 April 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2022
8 December 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2021
8 November 2021
IMF surveillance and climate change transition risks
New briefing by ActionAid USA and the Bretton Woods Project highlights research showing that IMF policy advice has undermined a just energy transition since the Paris Agreement was signed.