In the middle of a review of its lending facilities for low-income countries (LICs) and a funding drive for more concessional resources, the IMF is facing criticism over its conditionality and a review of its debt sustainability framework.
Voting rights
IFI governance
News
IMF contribution without representation?
While the IMF has been promised another $456 billion to add to its coffers, large emerging markets are conditioning their contributions on governance reforms. Meanwhile, activists are calling for deeper changes in the way international institutions are governed.
IFI governance
News
IMF surveillance not yet integrated
IMF integrated surveillance decision delayed.
IFI governance
Commentary
Timely Canadian action on governance reform
The Bretton Woods Project would like to sincerely thank the Honorable James M. Flaherty, Canada's finance minister, for his kind end June response to a letter we sent him about leadership selection at the IFIs.
IFI governance
News
Building alternatives BRICS by BRICS
With the future of the World Bank up for grabs in the presidency race and the IMF facing a resource crunch, many developing countries are pursuing alternatives to the Washington-based lenders, with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa even mooting a joint BRICS Bank.
IFI governance
News
New World Bank president: what's on the agenda?
An unprecedented competition for the presidency of the World Bank, with two highly experienced developing country candidates nominated in addition to the US candidate, has raised demands for reform of the Bank's approach to middle-income countries, human rights, environmental issues, and the private sector, among others.
IFI governance
Analysis
Memorandum by the Bretton Woods Project for the UK Treasury Committee
It is widely accepted that global imbalances were a major contributing factor to the recent global financial crisis. In written evidence submitted to the UK Treasury Committee, we argue that there are four main underlying causes and three areas of major reform needed.
IFI governance
Commentary
Appointment of next World Bank head
Reacting to the announcement that Robert Zoellick is stepping down as World Bank President, a global coalition of campaigners has called for an open and merit-based process to elect the next World Bank leader, and for developing countries to determine the selection.
IFI governance
News
World Bank or US Bank?
Rumours that Robert Zoellick will not seek another term as World Bank president after his term ends in June have thrown open the debate about leadership selection at the Bank.
IFI governance
Background
IMF resources: quota, NAB and GAB
One of the IMF's three roles is lending to members countries with balance of payments difficulties, using resources provided by its other members. Generally, these resources come in two forms: quota contributions tied to voting rights in the institution, and bilateral contributions which do not affect countries' voting rights.
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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.