Slow progress was made during the G7 finance ministers meeting in Tokyo in January on how to involve the private sector in crisis resolution.
International
IFI governance
News
Bank refuses demand for open reform assessment
The World Bank has refused a request from the Bretton Woods Project to allow NGOs and others to give their opinions of the successes and failures of the Bank’s Strategic Compact reform initiative.
Finance
News
UN Finance for development conference
It has been agreed that a high level United Nations meeting on Finance for Development will be held in 2001 involving political decision-makers at least at the ministerial level.
IFI governance
News
Horst Köhler new IMF head
A vote by the IMF Board has confirmed Horst K
IFI governance
News
G8 to G30
Michel Camdessus, former IMF Managing Director, has proposed that the G8 should be expanded to the G30, to include all countries represented on the IMF and World Bank boards plus representatives from the IMF, WB and UN institutions.
IFI governance
News
IMF succession process “secretive and undemocratic”
More than 120 NGOs and academics in 38 countries demanded an end to the secretive and undemocratic process for appointing the IMF Managing Director.
Social services
News
Health Commission set up
The IMF and World Bank will participate in a commission of eminent economists chaired by Jeffrey Sachs on Macroeconomics and Health.
IFI governance
News
Ahmed makes a surprise move to IMF
In a surprise move, which has raised further questions about overlap between the Bank and the IMF, Masood Ahmed, World Bank Vice President responsible for poverty reduction has been appointed Deputy Director of the IMF’s policy department.
Private Sector
News
Business and community guide
The IFC, in consultation with a number of private sector companies, NGOs, foundations and others, has compiled a draft guide for its clients on carrying out community development activities.
Finance
News
Countries embark on PRSP process
Bolivia is the first country to have produced an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which has qualified it for the enhanced HIPC Initiative debt relief.
IFI governance
News
New Bank-NGO communications outputs
Following last year’s review, the Bank’s NGO Team is planning new communications products and tools for civil society groups.
Conditionality
News
African heads warn against new conditionality
African heads of state met in Libreville, Gabon in January to discuss the economic agenda for Africa in the new millennium.