The Bretton Woods Project convenes meetings with World Bank and IMF executive directors (EDs) several times a year. On 17 September the Project and civil society representatives met with Gwen Hines, the UK World Bank ED. Here are the notes from the meeting.
Safeguards
Rights
News
Update on the World Bank safeguards review
A July presentation on the safeguards review included parts of a proposed integrated framework and next steps. A July report by Human Rights Watch called on the Bank to ensure it does not contribute to human rights abuses.
Environment
Analysis
Foreclosing the future
Drawing on case studies, reports and evaluations, Bruce Rich paints a picture of a Bank still inflicting suffering on vulnerable populations, and calls on Bank president Jim Yong Kim to show real leadership so that the Bank can learn from experience rather than flee from it.
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.
Infrastructure
Background
Civil society meeting with Stewart James, UK Alternate Executive Director to the World Bank
Minutes of CSO meeting with Stewart James, UK Alternate Executive Director to the World Bank, 15 July 2013
IFI governance
Analysis
World Bank's new strategy: 'deliverology' for the private sector?
As the World Bank's attention moves from goal-setting to implementation of a new strategy, it is becoming clear that it intends to further prioritise the role of the private sector and adopt many practices of its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as the main pillars for the whole group.
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.
Accountability
News
Early warning system for risky IFI projects
US NGOs International Accountability Project and Center for International Environmental Law have launched a new Early Warning System to alert communities to projects funded by multilateral development banks that may have a negative impact on human rights.
IFI governance
Analysis
Memorandum to the International Development Committee
In written evidence submitted to the UK parliament's International Development Committee, we argue that further reform of the World Bank is needed.
Rights
Background
Notes of IFC-CSO discussion of CAO financial markets audit
IFC has responsed to a letter from a number of NGOs sent to President Kim. These notes are from a 19 April 2013 meeting at IFC headquarters in Washington DC.
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