As the World Bank released a new report on the impacts of climate change and is due to discuss its energy focus, it defended its engagement in fossil fuels, including the Kosovo coal power plant.
Strategy/roles
Social services
News
A healthy step forward? World Bank outlines vision for healthcare
Bank president Jim Yong Kim has publicly prioritised universal health coverage and education however, critics worry about increased support for private companies to deliver these services.
Rights
News
Ethiopia refuses Inspection Panel investigation
Ethiopia has said that it will not cooperate in a proposed investigation by the World Bank's accountability mechanism, the Inspection Panel (IP), into a programme linked to the Bank that according to the indigenous peoples filing the complaint led to "forced villagisation".
Finance
Background
Notes of a meeting with World Bank Managing Director Caroline Anstey
Notes of a meeting with World Bank Managing Director Caroline Anstey
IFI governance
Background
Civil society meeting with Steve Field, UK IMF Executive Director
Minutes of CSO meeting with Steve Field UK IMF Executive Director, 9 April 2013
Infrastructure
Background
Colombia case study: results measurement and poverty eradication
This session examined Colombia's private sector partnerships and poverty eradication programme.
IFI governance
Background
The private sector and poverty eradication
This session gave an overview on the links between private sector and healthcare provision in tackling poverty.
Accountability
Background
Financial and housing crises, the Bank's safeguards and the right to adequate housing
This session featured a presentation from UN special rapporteur on the links between financial and housing crises, safeguards and the right to adequate housing.
Accountability
Background
The challenges of advancing sustainability at the World Bank
This panel discussion reflected on the major sustainability challenges facing the World Bank through exploring two World Resources Institute areas - a portfolio analysis on 2012 projects, and the interaction between country systems and World Bank safeguard approaches.
Accountability
News
Spring meetings 2013: communiqués coverage
Coverage of the communiqu
Featured briefings
9 June 2025
New data reveal World Bank DPF ‘climate finance’ carries strong private sector bias, undermining a just transition
New BWP briefing finds the World Bank counted 70 per cent of energy-sector reforms in Development Policy Financing as having 'climate co-benefits' between 2018-2023 - but most of these promoted a private-led energy transition.
15 April 2025
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2025
2 April 2025