The IMF’s surcharges review presents a golden opportunity to eliminate these harmful and counterproductive fees.
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Ukraine
Land
Commentary
Ukraine's post-war agricultural recovery: Returning to the way things were is not enough
World Bank and other international financial institutions need to ensure Ukraine’s agriculture sector reforms lead to increased liquidity for smaller farms and ensure local development, environmentally sustainable investments and a transparent land market.
Land
Analysis
World Bank and IMF’s response to global food crisis misses mark, as financial speculation drives food prices to historic highs
Action plan launched by Bretton Woods Institutions and other IFIs ignores role of corporatisation of agriculture in contributing to current crisis.
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.
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.
Finance
Analysis
The IMF and World Bank-led Covid-19 recovery: ‘Building back better’ or locking in broken policies?
Early evidence suggests IMF programmes are maintaining long-term fiscal consolidation targets, while World Bank further continues Maximizing Finance for Development narrative amidst Covid-19 crisis.
Other news
Finance
News
BWIs use frozen Russian assets as part of $50 billion support to Ukraine
BWIs engineer creative ways to provide financial support to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as back up, in contrast to lack of support for debt-stricken African countries.
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”.
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.
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.
Finance
News
IMF in Ukraine: $5bn for $15bn haircut?
The IMF has approved a $17.5 billion loan arrangement for Ukraine, however, it has been criticised for relying on debt forgiveness by its creditors.
