Reports of official and civil society events in Washington around the spring meetings 2005.
Spring/Annual meetings
IFI governance
News
World Bank/IMF spring meetings schedule
Members of the staff of the Bank and Fund, board members, development and finance ministers are gathered in Washington 15 - 17 April.
IFI governance
Background
Grants or Loans? The Full Debate
The session considered the arguments surrounding the provision of grants or loans by IDA. It considered the recent call by President Bush for the World Bank and other development banks to provide more of their funds to the poorest countries as grants, in recognition of the pivotal role that grants play in providing prudent financing for pressing development needs.
Environment
News
Town hall meeting between civil society and Bank Fund heads
Highlights from a meeting between Bank president Wolfensohn, Fund director Rato, South African finance minister Trevor Manuel, UK chancellor Gordon Brown, and NGOs.
Conditionality
News
IMF role in low-income countries
Highlights of a Fund staff meeting with CSOs to discuss the role of the Fund in low-income countries.
IFI governance
News
Mission unaccomplished: more reports, no new money
The World Bank-IMF annual meetings drew to a close with little or no progress made on any of the substantive issues.
IFI governance
Background
CSO meeting with European Executive Directors
Note from meeting in Washington between European IFI network and European EDs as part of the civil society programme of the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings 04.
Rights
News
Annual meetings update: NGO press pass cancelled
A decision has been taken to discontinue the NGO press pass for the meetings, marking a serious step backwards in relations with civil society.
Rights
News
World Bank/IMF spring meetings 2004 Round Up
This year's spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF mark 60 years of their founding in 1944. Fasts in Pakistan and outside the World Bank in DC were some of the actions taken by global justice campaigners to press on issues including debt cancellation.
Conditionality
News
Official report confirms PRSP criticisms
A report produced by the Bank and Fund for their annual meetings reflects on the continuing problems with implementing the lofty goals of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.
