US conservative blueprint for second Trump term calls for US to withdraw from World Bank and IMF, amid continued geopolitical tensions and unresolved debt crisis in Global South.
China
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2024 Wrap Up: Despite mounting crises, persistent lack of political will to match rhetoric with action remains
Urgent BWIs reforms remain hostage to lack of political will in Global North as the G20 failed to deliver on important issues within a fragmented geopolitical situation.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMFC chair's statement analysis Spring Meetings 2023: Optimism and complacency at odds with growing desperation of Global South stakeholders
The IMFC again did not issue a communiqué as it could not agree on language on the war in Ukraine. A chair’s statement was issued in lieu of the communiqué and emphasised the resilience of the global safety net system, better than projected conditions and concerns about significant challenges.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMF quota review: Putting climate at the core of IMF governance reform
Addition of cumulative carbon emissions indicator in IMF quota formula would give climate-vulnerable countries greater voice in IMF.
Finance
Analysis
A new Bretton Woods for whom? Civil society calls for democratisation of global governance
As geopolitical tensions rise amidst worsening global economic conditions, civil society demands the democratisation of a world economic order away from the established Global North and elite capitalist hegemony.
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings Wrap-up: despite urgent climate and development needs, geopolitics and deference to private finance rule the day
Doing Business scandal once again highlights that geopolitical wrangling is key driving force behind Bretton Woods Institutions’ governance structure and policy prescriptions.
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings 2021 Preamble: IMF and World Bank face existential questions in midst of global health and climate crises
Doing Business scandal, likely conditions attached to SDR rechannelling and lack of Bank and Fund support for an intellectual property waiver for vaccines highlight links between undemocratic governance structures at Bank and Fund and the uneven recovery from the pandemic.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMFC communiqué analysis – Spring Meetings 2021
Analysis of the IMFC communiqué published on 8 April from the 2021 World Bank and IMF virtual Spring Meetings.
Other news
Rights
News
Report implicates IFC investments in human rights abuses of Uyghur and other minorities in China
New CSO research alleges that IFC investments have contributed to forced displacement and labour, detention, and other human rights violations of Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, China.
IFI governance
Background
Making the Most of Special Drawing Rights: Approaches to maximise impact and create a sustainable and just recovery
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 4 October on the ways to maximise the impacts of the recent allocation of $650 billion Special Drawing Rights.
Knowledge
News
Doing Business Report to be published after temporary suspension over data irregularities
World Bank plans to publish latest DBR in March and undertake an external review of the report’s methodology.
Rights
News
World Bank China project raises 'crimes against humanity' concerns
Bank responds to allegations with investigation into whether its China lending could be going to internment camps.
Finance
News
Pakistan requests 13th IMF loan, amid US-China tensions
As Pakistan requests an IMF loan amid concerns about its debt sustainability, the IMF response is caught up in China-US tensions.
IFI governance
News
World Bank general capital increase to be formalised in October
World Bank board to formalise contentious general capital increase at October Annual Meetings
Finance
News
World Bank and AIIB sign joint co-financing agreement
The World Bank has signed a co-financing agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, while former Bank staff join the new institution.
IFI governance
Background
Recommended resources on the World Bank and IMF 2015
The best books and papers on the World Bank and IMF from 2015.