New BWP briefing offers critical gender analysis of World Bank lending instrument to borrowing countries.
International
Conditionality
Analysis
Structural adjustment is dead, long live structural adjustment
As Fund publishes its first comprehensive review of conditionality since the financial crisis, questions arise about the Fund's capacity to create economic stability and the rise of structural conditions.
Environment
Analysis
Confronted with climate emergency, IMF belatedly attempts to "get real"
Fund turns its attention to carbon pricing to support Paris Agreement alignment, as climate vulnerable countries see rising cost of climate impacts.
IFI governance
Analysis
Here we go again: Surprise IMF leadership change litmus test for its legitimacy
Lagarde resignation kicks-off another leadership race overshadowed by gentleman’s agreement.
Finance
Analysis
The Bretton Woods Institutions and the second crisis of multilateralism
At 75, the World Bank and IMF face a crisis of multilateralism in no small part of their own making as failed economic policies have resulted in skepticism of the international order they helped to create.
Conditionality
Analysis
IMF framework on social spending out of step with international standards
Fund publishes social spending strategy, civil society deems outcome too little too late.
Rights
News
Landmark report finds attacks on human rights defenders in name of ‘development’ on the rise
World Bank and IFC identified as key funders of projects that endanger human rights defenders.
Gender
News
World Bank’s women entrepreneur initiatives just “smoke and mirrors”
As We-Fi launches regional West Africa summit, feminists criticise narrow focus of women entrepreneur initiatives, while funding for women’s rights is in decline.
Environment
News
IFC’s Green Equity Strategy faces set-back at Board
As climate crisis deepens, IFC’s Green Equity Strategy faces delay from World Bank’s Board, with CSO activists calling Board’s foot-dragging a ‘scandal’.
IFI governance
News
Quota reform impasse likely as IMF faces legitimacy crisis
Latest Review of Quotas expected to be quashed, as US signals it will block reform.
Social services
News
Human Rights Council resolution challenges World Bank approach to education
Abidjan Principles recognition by UN HRC states confronts World Bank privatization push in education.
IFI governance
News
New IMF surveillance tool launched
Bretton Woods Project publishes new online tool to search IMF Article IV reports.
Featured briefings
15 August 2019
The World Bank and gender equality: Development Policy Financing
New BWP briefing offers critical gender analysis of World Bank lending instrument to borrowing countries.
30 July 2019
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2019
30 July 2019
The Bretton Woods Institutions and the second crisis of multilateralism
At 75, the World Bank and IMF face a crisis of multilateralism in no small part of their own making as failed economic policies have resulted in skepticism of the international order they helped to create.