The financial crisis has shrunk credit availability to the private sector, including in developing countries. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to step into the gap, but there are questions about the likely development impact and implementation of environmental and social safeguards.
Trade-finance coherence
Trade
News
IMF working group on sovereign wealth funds agrees voluntary code
In October the working group released generally accepted principles and practises (GAPP), consisting of 24 voluntary principles, endorsed by the IMFC at the annual meetings.
Conditionality
Background
Combating tax flight: ending evasion and reducing avoidance
Norway, Germany, IMF, WOrld Bank and experts discuss tackling tax evasion and capital flight.
Rights
News
Dutch conference on the future of the Bank
A conference hosted by the Dutch ministry of foreign affairs and the World Bank July 12-13 in Amsterdam will bring together officials and researchers to discuss "the challenges faced by the Bank in delivering its long-term strategic priorities".
IFI governance
News
Fund trade advice in the crosshairs
The Independent Evaluation Office released the draft issues paper for its planned evaluation of the IMF’s trade policy advice.
Finance
News
More Bank 'aid for trade'
Heads of the IFIs were in Geneva in November for a WTO conference to take stock of its aid for trade taskforce.
Accountability
News
Public campaigns to reform IDA
In Europe, Asia and the United States, civil society has campaigned for reform of the World Bank through the replenishment process of the International Development Association.
Conditionality
Background
Fiscal space and fiscal priorities: Infrastructure, trade and poverty
This panel discussion addressed the pros and cons of fiscal space for infrastructure when infrastructure is trade-related, what they mean for current proposals by the World Bank and IMF on fiscal space, and the importance of an assessment that looks jointly at the trade and financial aspects on the grounds of poverty reduction, development and environment goals.
Infrastructure
Background
Highlights of meeting with Tom Scholar and UK NGOs
Highlights of meeting between Tom Scholar and UK NGOs, April 2007
Social services
Analysis
The elusive quest for ‘fiscal space’
For the last several years the World Bank and IMF have squared off against governments, NGOs, UN agencies and even each other over the concept of ‘fiscal space’. This often nebulous and ill-defined term has caused much confusion. Nancy Alexander finds that at the heart of the matter is a difference of opinion over how and when governments should be allowed to invest in both infrastructure and basic services.
Featured briefings
3 July 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2024
3 July 2024
Is the World Bank rolling back commitments to citizen engagement, again?
Understanding the Bank’s chequered history with public, community and civil society participation is key for understanding what is at stake and what to do next.
3 June 2024
A way out for IMF reform
New paper analyses the IMF 16th Quota Review and identifies key governance reforms feasible in the current economic and geopolitical context.