While the 2007-2010 crisis offered the International Monetary Fund an unexpected opportunity to demonstrate that it was serious about changing its emergency lending practices, Daniela Gabor argues that in Eastern Europe the Fund ended up pushing unnecessary fiscal austerity and privileging private financial interests.
Global architecture
Finance
News
IMF nostalgia: debate on capital account liberalisation all over again?
As emerging market economies expand tools to actively manage international financial flows to cope surges, a liberalisation reform of the IMF's statutes is up for debate again.
IFI governance
News
Dollar debate continues
In January, French president Nicholas Sarkozy stoked the debate about reforming the international monetary system while deliberations on the potential future role of the IMF’s special drawing right as a prototype global reserve currency continued.
IFI governance
News
'Groupthink' IMF slammed for mistakes before crisis
The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) found major IMF lapses in judgement before the financial crisis, including the promotion of "light-touch regulation", casting doubt on the Fund's ability to contribute to taming global finance.
Accountability
News
Donor IDA pledges fall flat
The World Bank gained a 12 per cent inflation adjusted increase from the 16th fundraising round for its low-income country arm, the International Development Association (IDA), despite flat donor contributions, amid renewed criticism of its overall approach.
Infrastructure
Background
Private sector investment in energy lending and climate finance
Meeting notes of 'Private sector investment in energy lending and climate finance'
Finance
News
Global battle for control of money: IMF flounders amid economic warfare
Debate about 'currency wars' and capital controls has dominated global economic policy making this autumn, but serious talks to reform a crisis-prone and outdated international monetary and financial system remain elusive.
Accountability
Analysis
Submission to the International Development Committee of the UK parliament: inquiry into the World B
The UK should not increase its contribution to IDA in the current replenishment. Instead, it should focus on achieving substantial reforms of the World Bank and IFC in key areas, including health, gender, climate and energy, and the private sector, and in radically improving the legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the institution.
IFI governance
Background
Held in reserve: can a new approach to monetary policy transform the global economic outlook?
Minutes of an experts seminar held on the sidelines of the 2010 Annual Meetings of the IMF, 7 October 2010
Knowledge
Background
Post MDG Summit
Notes of the seminar of annual meetings 2010
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.