Action plan launched by Bretton Woods Institutions and other IFIs ignores role of corporatisation of agriculture in contributing to current crisis.
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Eastern Europe & Central Asia
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2022 Wrap-Up: Progress on key issues side-tracked by Ukraine invasion and BWIs’ own sense of drift
Spring Meetings conclude with frantic calls for stronger multilateralism, but few advances in key issues such as Covid-19 unequal recovery, debt, inequality and climate crises, while Russia participation prevents G20, G24 and Development Committee from releasing a communique.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMFC chair statement analysis – Spring Meetings 2022
The IMFC issued a chair statement in place of a communiqué. It discussed a long list of challenges with focus on fallout from Ukraine invasion and climate change.
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2022 Preamble: War in Ukraine risks deepening divergent recovery as World Bank and IMF prepare for Spring Meetings
War in Ukraine will have significant spillover effects as Global South continues to carry the burden of vaccine inequity. Debt, austerity and evolving food crisis key talking points of Meetings while unequal recovery, gender, RST and surcharges key issues at CSPF.
Rights
News
IFC faces critical questions over investments in gig economy
IFC’s investments in gig economy platform companies come under scrutiny
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.
Conditionality
News
Civil society raises alarm about IMF’s continued backing of austerity amidst pandemic
Egypt, Ukraine, South Africa and Ecuador have recently signed IMF loan programmes that involve severe austerity measures.
Knowledge
News
As World Bank pauses Doing Business Report, pressure mounts for it to be permanently scrapped
Civil society, trade unions and academics call for permanent end of Doing Business Report as World Bank suspends its publication due to data irregularities.
Other news
Finance
News
IMF continues to disregard UN Human Rights Commission concerns about its surcharge policy
IMF managing director continues to refuse to answer letter from UN Human Rights Council concerning the negative impact of IMF surcharges as world celebrates 75th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Land
News
Corporations are expanding control over Ukraine’s land with help from the IMF and the World Bank
New report from the Oakland Institute exposes the stealth take-over of Ukrainian agricultural land known as the “breadbasket of Europe”.
Infrastructure
News
New deal allows for ICSID claims on fossil fuel investments until 2033
Loophole in renegotiated Energy Charter Treaty could see companies sue countries for losses related to fossil fuel projects until 2033.
Finance
News
Calls for Ukraine debt relief grow as IMF and World Bank provide fresh loans amidst crisis
The country – reeling from the Russia invasion – owes a total of $22 billion to the IMF, World Bank and other international financial institutions.
Finance
News
Civil society campaign urges IMF to stop using punitive surcharges
Over 250 civil society experts urge the IMF to eliminate its punitive surcharges on countries in debt distress as they undermine an equitable economic recovery and exacerbate the global debt crisis.
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.
Land
News
IMF and World Bank help push through contentious Ukraine land reform amid Covid-19 pandemic
Bank and Fund-backed land bill passed in dead of night during lockdown favouring private investors and Western agribusiness.
Land
News
World Bank, IMF and EBRD push for controversial land reform in Ukraine
Ukraine passes contentious draft land reform law under pressure from World Bank, IMF and EBRD.
