Amidst new complaints on the failure of the investments of the IFC’s financial sector clients to meet the IFC performance standards, including a controversial dam in Honduras, civil society organisations have rejected the IFC’s proposed action plan as unacceptable.
Indigenous peoples
IFI governance
News
World Bank moves on 'land grabs'
In April World Bank president Jim Yong Kim said that the Bank shares the concerns "about the risks associated with large-scale land acquisitions" and that "additional efforts must be made to build capacity and safeguards related to land rights".
Rights
News
Ethiopia refuses Inspection Panel investigation
Ethiopia has said that it will not cooperate in a proposed investigation by the World Bank's accountability mechanism, the Inspection Panel (IP), into a programme linked to the Bank that according to the indigenous peoples filing the complaint led to "forced villagisation".
Private Sector
Analysis
IFC financed 'land grabs' in Cambodia, Laos and Honduras exposed
While the World Bank's leadership is further embracing private equity funds, the IFC's investment in financial intermediaries is again hitting the headlines over allegations of 'land grabs' in South East Asia and lack of respect for indigenous people's rights in Honduras.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank says "stars are aligned" for large infrastructure
The World Bank, in conjunction with the G20, is reinvigorating its infrastructure focus, paying particular attention to leveraging resources from the private sector and investing in fragile and conflict affected states. It announced a return to big hydropower projects, despite continued concerns about projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala and Uganda.
Environment
Commentary
Dr Kim, where is Mongolia's economic diversification?
In late February the World Bank's private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) boards decided to spearhead a $4 billion dollar syndicated loan to a copper, gold and silver mine located in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. An increasing number of people believe that it is going to lead Mongolia to dependence on one product and one corporation, driving the country into deep insecurity.
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 7
The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) are financing instruments designed to pilot low-carbon and climate-resilient development through the multilateral development banks (MDBs). They are comprised of two trust funds - the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF).
Environment
News
World Bank ignores IEG on logging
The World Bank board's Committee on Development Effectiveness responded in early February to a December evaluation of its forest strategy by the Bank's Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), by accepting some recommendations but "disagree[ing] with the IEG's recommendation regarding timber concession reform in tropical moist forest countries."
Rights
News
Safeguards: World Bank urged to incorporate human rights commitments "in all of its activities"
As the consultations on the World Bank's safeguards review progress, indigenous peoples groups and NGOs raised concerns over the process. There were also increased calls for the Bank to respect human rights in its policies, including a report from a UN Special Rapporteur.
Accountability
News
IFC Honduran client linked to death squads
The International Finance Corporation (IFC, the Bank's private sector arm) loan to Honduran palm oil producer Corporaci
Featured briefings
12 October 2020
World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings 2020
6 October 2020
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2020
6 October 2020
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.