International

IFI governance

News

World Bank appoints Indermit Gill as new chief economist

Gill replaces Carmen Reinhart as she returns to Harvard after a two-year public service leave from the institution.

3 October 2022

Social services

News

World Bank’s IFC ends funding for fee-paying primary and secondary schools

Independent Evaluation Group report highlighted private sector education provision can exacerbate inequality and undermine the public sector school system.

21 July 2022

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.

21 July 2022

Finance

Analysis

A new Bretton Woods for whom? Civil society calls for democratisation of global governance

As geopolitical tensions rise amidst worsening global economic conditions, civil society demands the democratisation of a world economic order away from the established Global North and elite capitalist hegemony.

21 July 2022

Accountability

Commentary

The IMF is changing and needs an independent ombudsman

The Fund's expansion of its work into the macro-stability challenges posed by pandemics, climate change, gender discrimination and inequality increases the risks that it may negatively impact communities and individuals.

21 July 2022 | Guest comment

Accountability

Analysis

Why the IFC can’t afford to squander this opportunity to get remedy right

The IFC is the only DFI that has committed to creating a remedy framework. The basic requirements of a rights-based remedy framework are already known.

21 July 2022 | Guest analysis

Environment

News

Resilience and Sustainability Trust: Will “qualifying reforms” bring long-overdue institutional shift?

Problematic track record on climate and fossil fuel finance means IMF-World Bank collaboration on the Resilience and Sustainability Trust risks repetition of failed policies.

21 July 2022

Finance

News

Highly indebted countries face further cuts to public spending to service debts, as IMF austerity bites

Debt Justice's new report highlights urgent need for international debt workout mechanisms, as countries are forced to prioritise debt payments.

21 July 2022

Social services

News

World Bank’s commitment to private sector-led development casts doubt on effectiveness of new Pandemic Preparedness Fund

The World Bank’s proposal to establish a fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response raises questions about the Bank’s support for private sector healthcare at the expense of public provision.

21 July 2022

Gender

News

World Bank's new gender strategy: Concerns about approach to social protection and gender-blind macroeconomic reforms remain

With the World Bank’s current gender strategy set to expire next year, care and social protection emerge as a possible focus, but CSOs remain skeptical that Bank's private sector-led approach will deliver on women's rights.

21 July 2022

Land

News

IFC approves loan to industrial agriculture producer in Brazil despite pleas for protection of sensitive grassland biome

World Bank’s IFC $200 loan for large-scale agricultural production in Brazil disregards serious human rights and environmental concerns, despite calls by 200 civil society organisations globally

21 July 2022

Trade

Background

What is the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)?

New Inside the Institutions looks at the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the main forum for Investor-to-State Dispute Settlements.

18 July 2022 | Inside the institutions