Analysis of the IMFC communiqué, issues on 15 October, from the 2020 World Bank and IMF virtual Annual Meetings.
Leadership
IFI governance
News
“Godmother of austerity” appointment to World Bank chief economist post
Carmen Reinhart, co-author of influential 2010 pro-austerity paper, named to key post.
IFI governance
News
Changes at the top for IFC and its accountability mechanism
IFC and CAO will undergo changes in leadership at a pivotal time for both institutions, with merit-based selection of new leaders essential.
IFI governance
News
IFC CEO announces planned retirement
Philippe Le Houérou will depart 1 October, after joining IFC in 2015.
IFI governance
News
Senior-level staff changes at World Bank and IMF
World Bank chief economist departs as key role is “eroded”, while IMF’s Georgieva makes series of high-level appointments.
IFI governance
Background
IMF and World Bank decision-making and governance
This Inside the Institutions looks at decision-making and governance structures at the IMF and World Bank.
IFI governance
Commentary
Tout change et rien change pas: Global power and IMF leadership
The present IMF leadership 'contest' makes a mockery of the institution's multilateral character and further diminishes its legitimacy.
IFI governance
Analysis
Here we go again: Surprise IMF leadership change litmus test for its legitimacy
Lagarde resignation kicks-off another leadership race overshadowed by gentleman’s agreement.
IFI governance
Analysis
The Bretton Woods Institutions and the second crisis of multilateralism
At 75, the World Bank and IMF face a crisis of multilateralism in no small part of their own making as failed economic policies have resulted in skepticism of the international order they helped to create.
IFI governance
Background
What is the ‘gentleman’s agreement’?
Leadership of the IMF and World Bank has been guided by a historical 'gentleman's agreement' between Europe and the United States. What does this agreement entail? And how could it be reformed?
Featured briefings
14 December 2020
Gambling with our lives: Global emergencies expose consequences of decades of IMF and World Bank policies
Market-led policy approaches increasingly used to deal with both climate and health emergencies are failing to protect those most vulnerable.
10 December 2020
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2020
12 October 2020