UK NGOs - including Oxfam, ActionAid, Christian Aid, the new economics foundation and the Bretton Woods Project - have called on the new UK government and its European partners to end the 63-year-old "gentlemen's agreement" that allows European governments to appoint the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and the United States government to appoint the President of the World Bank.
Voting rights
IFI governance
News
From Wolfowitz to Zoellick: an opportunity lost
The worst crisis faced by the World Bank in over 60 years brought business to a halt for over six weeks. What really happened, what unfinished business remains, and what lessons have been learned?
Accountability
Background
Highlights of UK NGO meeting with UK Executive Director to the WB/IMF Tom Scholar
Highlights of a 22 June 2007 meeting between UK NGOs and UK executive director to the World Bank and IMF, Tom Scholar. Issues covered included review of the Bank's transport strategy, avoided deforestation, conditionality, debt, social protection and IFI governance.
IFI governance
News
Bush nominates Zoellick to replace Wolfowitz
US president George Bush has nominated former trade representative Robert Zoellick to replace Paul Wolfowitz as World Bank president, however the Bank's board has made noises that it may not sit quietly by and allow the Americans to appoint their man.
IFI governance
News
UK Treasury to focus on IMF surveillance reform in 2007
In its annual report to parliament about the UK and the IMF, this year subtitled "Reform to delivery prosperity for all", the UK Treasury's most ambitious goal for 2007 is to revise the IMF's surveillance framework. While also setting out to build on the proposals for governance reform of the IMF, the report does not prioritise creating an open and merit-based process for selecting the managing director of the IMF, overhauling the transparency policy at the Fund, or grappling with the issue of w
Accountability
News
Wolfowitz affair approaches day of reckoning
Week five of the scandal at the World Bank over president Paul Wolfowitz's promotion of partner Shaha Riza started with the resignation of one of Wolfowitz's inner circle, advisor Kevin Kellems. It was not a good omen, as things have gone from bad to worse for the embattled president.
IFI governance
Background
Highlights of BWI-UK / UKAN Workshop: The roles of the IFIs in low-income countries
Highlights/summary of outcomes for the 1 May 2007 BWI-UK / UKAN Workshop: The roles of the IFIs in low-income countries
Accountability
News
Wolfowitz saga turns ugly
The fourth week of the drama unfolding at the World Bank over president Paul Wolfowitz’s promotion of partner Shaha Riza has raised more question marks over Wolfowitz’s judgment during his time at the Bank, further calls for his resignation, and widespread recognition of the need to end the fix which sees the president chosen by the US administration.
IFI governance
Background
Reforming the governance of the IMF / World Bank
Highlights of a civil society dialogue on Bank/Fund governance during the spring meetings 2007
IFI governance
Background
European CSO meeting with European IMF EDs
Incomplete minutes of European CSO meeting with European IMF EDs, 13 April 2007
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IMF surveillance and climate change transition risks
New briefing by ActionAid USA and the Bretton Woods Project highlights research showing that IMF policy advice has undermined a just energy transition since the Paris Agreement was signed.