The IDA Deputies - government officials who negotiate the refinancing of the World Bank’s International Development Association concessional lending arm - have met twice to discuss the policy framework for future IDA lending.
International
Private Sector
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Bank "Business Partnerships" scheme launched
The World Bank has committed $3 million to a “Business Partners for Development” initiative to undertake studies and pilot projects involving companies, NGOs and governments.
Environment
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MIGA pressed to reform
Friends of the Earth US and other NGOs wrote to their government representatives in April to stress that the donor discussions about providing more money for MIGA should talk about reforms first and about shifting the portfolio away from mining and fossil fuel projects such as the controversial Lihir Island goldmine in Papua New Guinea.
News
International Finance Guide
A Citizen’s Guide to the Globalisation of Finance outlines current trends, and examines the recent financial crash in Southeast Asia and the potential for a similar crisis in India.
Rights
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IMF PR tour
The IMF is holding a meeting in late May in Ghana to explain its strategy to NGOs there.
IFI governance
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Sibling rivalry: can the Fund and Bank cooperate?
UK Secretary of State for International Development Clare Short told the Financial Times in April: “We are in a very silly situation. The international institutions are meant to be complementary, but the IMF keeps charging around taking other peoples’ jobs in areas where it is not necessarily competent”.
News
WTO protests grow
The Second Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva was marked by protests in many countries.
IFI governance
News
Bank builds muscle to deal with crises
The Bank will spend $50m over the next two years recruiting financial sector experts for a new Special Financial Operations unit.
Rights
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NGO approach debated
In March the Bank Board discussed the Bank’s approach to NGOs.
Conditionality
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ESAF review: new IMF strategy urged
More flexibility and a new approach was suggested in the external review of the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (IMF loans to poorer countries) published in March.
Knowledge
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Faith meets finance
In February World Bank President James Wolfensohn met the leaders of nine religious faiths to discuss views on development.
IFI governance
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Policing the policemen
The IMF has been urged to be more transparent and accountable by a US Study Group convened by the Centre of Concern, and by the UK Chancellor.