Indigenous peoples

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

8 April 2013

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.

8 April 2013

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.

8 April 2013 | Guest comment

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.

13 February 2013

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.

12 February 2013

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).

12 February 2013

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.

12 February 2013

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.

12 February 2013

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.

22 January 2013 | Guest comment

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.

6 December 2012