Bank president James Wolfensohn surprised NGOs at the annual meetings by suggesting that he would consider establishing a new world commission to look into concerns about the oil, gas and mining industries.
Spring/Annual meetings
IFI governance
News
Reform of IMF governance now on the agenda?
At the Annual Meetings South African Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, demanded a more powerful voice for developing countries.
IFI governance
News
Bank blocked on global public goods
Despite the public pressure it faced, the World Bank tried to use the Prague annual meetings to extend its remit to new issue areas.
Rights
News
Prague plans
The annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF will be the occasion for high-level official decision-making about the future of the institutions as well as protests and alternative discussions among civil society groups.
Rights
News
Peaceful Protests Raise Awareness
In April, thousands of protesters gathered in Washington DC to close down the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings.
IFI governance
News
Stiglitz “Appalled” At IMF Policy
Joseph Stiglitz, former World Bank chief economist, took the opportunity of the extensive media interest in the planned protests against the Bank and IMF at their Spring Meetings to launch an attack on IMF policy advice and practices.
IFI governance
News
Private Sector Strategy Debated
Leaflets with sharply contrasting views about the International Finance Corporation (IFC) were distributed at the Spring meetings.
Rights
News
Washington focus for globalisation protests
Activists from across the US will converge in Washington to protest at the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings.
Conditionality
News
IMF takes on poverty mandate
Important changes to the IMF’s remit in the poorest countries were announced at the IMF-WB Annual Meetings in September.
Rights
News
Annual meetings Prague 2000
NGO preparations are already underway for the World Bank’s 2000 annual meetings.
