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.
Indigenous peoples
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.
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
Environment
News
IFC-funded mines: still courting controversy
Following a year of violence associated with IFC-funded mining projects, the IFC's mining investments in Guatemala, Mongolia, Peru and Colombia are still provoking controversy.
IFI governance
News
World Bank's safeguards review extended
The first phase of the Bank's safeguard review has been extended to mid-April with global consultations planned, including on seven emerging areas.
Accountability
News
A forest of failures
A leaked copy of an evaluation of the Bank's forest strategy criticises the Bank's failure to address social and environmental goals. Further criticism has also been raised over the Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).
Accountability
News
Inspection Panel examines Afghan mining project
The World Bank's Inspection Panel compliance body received two complaints in December relating to the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Project in Afghanistan.
Accountability
News
IFC investments "rarely touch the poor"
Criticism of the International Finance Corporation's lack of poverty focus has again caught the spotlight, as the IFC continues to fund projects that stretch the interpretation of development.
Finance
Commentary
Hastily introduced World Bank projects threaten to undermine peace process in Burma
In late 2012 the World Bank announced its first lending to Burma in over 20 years. The concern among many grassroots activists, however, is that the areas to which this money will be funnelled are still in the earliest stages of the peace process, and that huge influxes of money will undermine efforts for sustainable peace.
Rights
News
Safe in Bank hands? World Bank safeguards review launched
The World Bank finally launched the two-year review of its environmental and social safeguard policies in October.
Featured briefings
5 October 2023
World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings 2023
4 October 2023
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2023
4 October 2023
The IMF and World Bank talk good governance, but walk with state- capturers
From South Africa to Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, the Bank and Fund have demonstrated they are not appropriate allies to address the scale of the crisis the world is facing, especially, given their record.