The Independent Evaluation Group published an evaluation of World Bank assistance for natural disasters, finding that the Bank lacks a strategic approach to disasters, is failing to integrate disaster preparation in its lending, and lacks sufficient expertise or coordination mechanisms.
Strategy/roles
Conditionality
News
IMF strategic review: too little, too late?
The managing director's report on the medium-term strategic review released at the spring meetings was short on specific proposals for reform implementation and lacked commitments for improved democratic functioning or strengthened surveillance of large industrial countries.
Finance
Analysis
Trip wires and speed bumps in service of global financial stability: A proactive role for the IMF
Under the current IMF strategic review, a "review of the effectiveness of the Fund's instruments to facilitate crisis resolution" is planned. Ilene Grabel, professor of international finance at the University of Denver, argues that the Fund must move from being a reactive institution to being a pro-active one. The IMF should use its technical expertise to mitigate the risks that culminate in financial crises, involving a programme of 'trip wires and speed bumps'.
Conditionality
News
Evaluation of IMF finance assessments
The Independent Evaluation Office report on the Financial Sector Assessment Program describes the programme as a "distinct improvement" in the Fund's ability to conduct financial sector surveillance.
Finance
News
Will IMF set its sights on managing global reserves?
The managing director's report on implementing the Fund's medium-term strategy was discussed by the board 3 April and is anticipated to be released at the spring meetings. Civil society groups have been critical of the opaqueness of the process and the failure to broaden participation.
Rights
News
Internal accountability creates “institutional discomfort”
Discussion of the CAO's internal accountability role and the difficulties it faces in light of the IFC/MIGA's disregard and criticisms from affected communities and civil society.
Trade
News
IMF shocks facility - will anybody use it?
In November, the IMF's board approved the establishment of the Exogenous Shocks Facility (ESF) to…
Rights
News
World Bank “pushing big dams” across Asia
Bank upscales its funding for large scale hydro in Pakistan and Inda, fails to adequately assess resettlement in China, and tries to take credit for increased investment in renewable energy and energy investment merely by increasing its funding for large high risk dam projects.
IFI governance
News
The IMF to evaluate its role in determining aid resources to African countries
The IMF's Independent Evaluation Office is undertaking a timely review of the Fund's role in determining aid resources in sub-Saharan Africa, examining the Fund's policy advice and programme design in these countries and its impact.
Rights
Commentary
The Bank and Fund: do civil society groups in the Arab region realise what’s going on?
Comment by the Arab NGO Network for Development on the need for civil society in the region to take a more active role in monitoring the work of the IFIs.
Featured briefings
16 October 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2024
16 October 2024
The lost call for international financial architecture reform in the G20
At the 80th anniversary of the World Bank and IMF, global civil society must maintain pressure on the Brazilian and South African G20 presidencies to ensure the forth Financing for Development Conference in 2025 results in urgently required international financial architecture reform.
16 October 2024
Sustainable development requires sustainable finance: why local currency financing is part of the solution
Multilateral development banks can reduce their dependence on hard currency lending and make local currency financing a central element of their developmental mandate.