IMF review of institutional view on capital controls disappoints as it largely maintains the policy framework of its predecessor
Global architecture
Finance
News
Argentine civil society denounces new IMF agreement as illegitimate
Civil society rejects new Agreement arguing IMF loan will be used to pay odious debt and result in reforms damaging to human rights.
Finance
Analysis
Our World in 2021
While the Bank stressed the need for a recovery based on Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development and the IMF highlighted its concerns about the divergent paths of the global recovery in 2021, both continued to support largely unreformed policies.
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings 2021 Preamble: IMF and World Bank face existential questions in midst of global health and climate crises
Doing Business scandal, likely conditions attached to SDR rechannelling and lack of Bank and Fund support for an intellectual property waiver for vaccines highlight links between undemocratic governance structures at Bank and Fund and the uneven recovery from the pandemic.
Finance
News
Civil society frustrated by lack of substantive engagement in IDA20 replenishment process
Private sector first approach intact in IDA20 replenishment despite CSO recommendations.
Finance
Background
What are Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)?
This Inside the Institutions looks at the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights, including their history and usage, with a focus on the latest allocation, which accounts for 69 per cent of the SDRs ever disbursed.
IFI governance
Background
IMF surcharges: A necessary tool or counter-productive obstacle to a just and green recovery?
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 6 October on the governance and resourcing implications of IMF's surcharges.
IFI governance
Background
Making the Most of Special Drawing Rights: Approaches to maximise impact and create a sustainable and just recovery
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 4 October on the ways to maximise the impacts of the recent allocation of $650 billion Special Drawing Rights.
Environment
News
Dutch government sued at World Bank tribunal for fossil fuel phase out plan
ICSID suit against Dutch government’s fossil phase out highlights threat to climate action posed by investor-to-state dispute settlement mechanisms
Finance
Analysis
G20 communiqué analysis – Spring Meetings 2021
Analysis of the G20 communiqué published on 7 April from the 2021 World Bank and IMF virtual Spring Meetings.
Featured briefings
1 October 2024
Year one of World Bank Paris Agreement alignment in the energy sector: ‘green conditionality’ dwarfs green investments
New BWP research finds the Word Bank's approach to Paris alignment is being used to a significant extent to impose ‘green conditionalities' on borrowing countries, especially in the Global South.
3 July 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2024
3 July 2024
Is the World Bank rolling back commitments to citizen engagement, again?
Understanding the Bank’s chequered history with public, community and civil society participation is key for understanding what is at stake and what to do next.