As the IMF celebrates the rise of VAT, women and those least able to pay are left behind in worsening inequality crisis.
Human rights
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings 2020 Preamble: IMF and World Bank frontload austerity and privatisation in Covid-19 recovery, while the world calls for more inclusive multilateralism
As the inability of Bank and Fund to adapt their policies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic becomes more evident, hope turns to the UN system and a radical restructure of the global international financial architecture.
IFI governance
News
Delays in Inspection Panel eligibility decision in Nepal risk “irreversible damage”
Panel yet to rule on case filed in April despite receiving consultant's report.
Conditionality
News
Pakistan resists IMF measures that could “push more people into poverty”
IMF programme would result in increased electricity prices and regressive consumer tax hikes amid rising cost of living.
Accountability
Analysis
IFC and MIGA must ‘walk the accountability walk’ on the road mapped by independent review
Implementation in full of the independent review of IFC, MIGA and CAO is essential if institutions are to meet persistent accountability and remedy gaps.
Rights
Analysis
Repairing harm caused: What could a reparations approach mean for the IMF and World Bank?
It is time for the IMF and World Bank to understand their own responsibility and decolonise their approach.
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.
Accountability
Background
Tracking the trillions: Emergency funds, corruption and making the Covid-19 recovery work for all
Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum at the 2020 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings 29 September session on corruption and Covid-19 recovery.
Finance
Analysis
The IMF and World Bank-led Covid-19 recovery: ‘Building back better’ or locking in broken policies?
Early evidence suggests IMF programmes are maintaining long-term fiscal consolidation targets, while World Bank further continues Maximizing Finance for Development narrative amidst Covid-19 crisis.
Conditionality
Analysis
The IMF’s role in the devastating impacts of Covid-19 – the case of Ecuador
IMF-backed austerity measures starved health sector prior to pandemic, yet Fund continues to prescribe devastating long-term fiscal consolidation.
Featured briefings
13 July 2021
The IMF's Comprehensive Surveillance Review: A bungled attempt at meeting the moment
Review maintains inadequate and inconsistent approach to economic and gender inequality, as well as climate change.
13 July 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2021
30 March 2021