Notes from the virtual Civil Society Policy Forum session on 29 March.
Financial sector
IFI governance
Analysis
Biden, the Bank and IMF: A break with ‘America first’ or its continued pursuit through multilateral means?
The world awaits to see whether Trump’s defeat will result in the end of the 'America First' approach and a democratisation of the IMF and World Bank and the multilateral system.
Social services
Background
World Bank Group’s ‘Maximizing Finance for Development’ in times of Covid-19
Notes from the virtual Civil Society Policy Forum at the 2020 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings 5 October session on the World Bank's 'Maximizing Finance for Development' and the Covid-19 response.
Private Sector
News
IFC launches consultation on draft Operating Principles for Impact Management
As IFC launches consultation on draft Principles, its declining development outcome performance as 'first impact investor' provides useful point of departure.
Private Sector
Analysis
Recipe for disaster: The IMF and World Bank’s role in the financialisation of food and agriculture
World Bank and IMF contribute to financialisation and coorperatisation of agriculture contributing to food insecurity, concentration of power and climate emergency.
Private Sector
Analysis
How the Bank’s push for microcredit failed the poor
Originally created to help the poor escape poverty and deprivation, the World Bank became the most important advocate for the commercialised microcredit model. Yet, critics argued it undermined the chances of sustainable and equitable development to create a poverty trap of historic proportions.
Private Sector
News
CSOs call on World Bank to halt its aggressive support of PPPs
152 CSOs call demand World Bank halt its aggressive support of PPPs, publicaly recognise their significant risks.
Private Sector
Background
Examining the IFC’s climate and forest footprint in its financial sector investments
Notes from a side event at the IMF/World Bank 2016 annual meetings on how the World Bank Group can ensure that its financial intermediary investments are consistent with its forest and climate commitments.
Land
Analysis
IFC investments implicated in land grabs in Africa
IFC investments through financial intermediary investments linked to land grabs and displacement in Africa. CSOs critique proposed changes to IFC lending policies.
Private Sector
Background
Why impact investments can be an effective tool for social development
Notes of spring meeting session on impact investments, 18 April.
Featured briefings
21 July 2022
Ending “absolute immunity” for the International Finance Corporation: The legacy of Jam v. IFC
EarthRights International examines how the Jam v. IFC case has helped to shift the landscape of accountability for international financial institutions by successfully challenging their claim to “absolute” immunity in US courts, potentially opening IFC up to further legal challenges in future.
21 July 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2022
14 April 2022