The IMF and World Bank continue to be amongst the most relevant and significant powerful norm-setters, convenors, knowledge-holders and influencers of the international development and financial landscape. This Inside the Institutions sets-out some of the most common criticisms of the World Bank and IMF under three broad lenses: democratic governance, human rights and the environment.
International
Gender
Background
Sexual orientation & gender identity – considering risk mitigation within World Bank programming
This Civil Society Policy Forum Session was co-sponsored by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce,…
Finance
Background
Taxing to Develop: International Taxation Challenges for Africa
Notes from the IMF and World Bank 2019 Spring Meetings official session on 14 April on international taxation challenges in Africa.
Infrastructure
Background
Sustainable Infrastructure: Aligning with Rights and the SDGs
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum event on 10 April, which looked at sustainable infrastructure from fiscal, rights and climate lenses.
Finance
Background
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Shifting the IFI Narrative to Progressive Gender-just Taxation
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 12 April on the changing international tax landscape from a feminist perspective and challenging IFIs’ role in shaping it at the World Bank and IMF's 2019 Spring Meetings.
Conditionality
Background
Austerity and the right to health - the IMF’s role in expanding fiscal space for public spending
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 10 April on the incoherence between IMF-backed austerity policies, via loan conditionality and policy advice, and the realization of the right to health.
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings wrap-up 2019: what crisis of multilateralism?
As the world ponders the fate of a beleaguered multilateralism on the 75th anniversary of the Bank and Fund, both fail to act on essential governance reforms and opt to maintain the unjust privilege of the Global North.
IFI governance
Analysis
V20 proposes new financial instruments in attempt to tackle climate risks
The V20 Group of Finance Ministers proposes new mechanism to help finance 100 per cent renewal energy transition, as climate action continues to proceed at slower pace than mandated by Paris Agreement.
Finance
Analysis
Falling growth, rising tensions – IMFC communiqué analysis Spring 2019
Analysis of the IMFC communiqué, issued on 13 April, from the 2019 World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, Washington DC.
IFI governance
Analysis
Development Committee communiqué analysis – Spring 2019
Analysis of the Development Committee communiqué published on 13 April.
IFI governance
Analysis
G24 communiqué analysis – Spring 2019
Analysis of the IMFC communiqué, issued on 13 April, from the 2019 World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, Washington DC.
IFI governance
Analysis
2019 Spring Meetings Preamble
With flood waters rising, World Bank & IMF answers to 21st century’s key challenges remain inadequate .
Featured briefings
4 April 2019
World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings 2019
4 April 2019
Debt and gender equality: How debt-servicing conditions harm women in Africa
As debt crises across the African continent continue to soar, concerns are raised about the gendered impact of debt-servicing conditions imposed by international financial institutions.
4 April 2019