The World Bank has been involved in administering a $16.7 million fund for a feasibility study and environmental and social assessment (ESA) of the highly controversial Red Sea-Dead Sea canal
Water
IFI governance
News
World Bank health work flawed
A recent evaluation of the World Bank's work in health is damning in its criticism of the lender's approach, particularly in Africa. Meanwhile, the Bank is continuing to push privatisation in public services such as health, education and water despite fierce criticism.
Accountability
News
Clarification: Armenia corruption Allegations
We would like to appologise for any confusion due to an article in Update 62 on water privatisation. In discussing a Bank project in Yerevan, Armenia, it may not have been clear that all statements about tendering the parliamentary commission, water services, and project material were allegations from the Government Accountability Project (GAP) report.
Rights
Background
Testing the water: How can the right to water and sanitation enhance the World Bank's policy and pra
This event brought together a panel of World Bank representatives with civil society members who have worked extensively on issues of access and the right to water and sanitation. Sponsored by Both ENDS, Fresh Water Action Network (FWAN), Center on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE)
Accountability
News
The World Bank and water privatisation: public money down the drain
Though the World Bank may be changing its formerly dogmatic approach to full privatisation of the water sector, key cases in Tanzania, Armenia, Zambia and India highlight that the Bank may not be learning quickly enough and that the poor may be left both without improved water and paying for botched privatisations.
IFI governance
News
World Bank tries to rewrite Bolivian history
The World Bank's Bolivia office has decided to get into the propaganda game. This month it produced a snazzy little 22-page booklet that it is distributing by the tens of thousands in three major Bolivian dailies, in La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz. The booklet is titled, "Ten Things They Never Told You About the World Bank in Bolivia."
Accountability
News
UK report on its activities at the World Bank
In late November, the UK released its third report on its relationship with the World Bank, disappointing in the coverage and depth of its analysis.
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.
Rights
News
World Bank: head in the sand over 'peace conduit'
NGO Friends of the Earth Middle East has expressed concern over the World Bank's involvement in the Red Sea to Dead Sea water conveyance project, in particular its failure to consider alternatives that would tackle the root cause of the Dead Sea's degradation
Land
News
Failing small farmers: The World Bank and agriculture
Stinging from a critique from its own evaluation unit on its work on agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, the World Bank released its flagship annual report on agriculture in October to heavy criticism from civil society.
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