Notes from the 7 April Civil Society Policy Forum - The future is public: Prioritizing public services in the light of Covid and climate change.
International
Gender
Analysis
The IMF gender strategy: Will it lead to real change for women’s rights?
While the strategy's first concept note outlines an ambitious vision to mainstream gender across the Fund’s core operations, civil society emphasises that a deeper analysis of on the effects of Fund-endorsed policies on women’s rights is still missing.
Finance
Commentary
More than 150 groups call for the IMF to end its “unfair” and “counterproductive” surcharges
Over 160 civil society organizations from around the world are calling on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to end the “unfair” and “counterproductive” surcharges attached to its lending to the most heavily indebted countries. The open letter was sent to the IMF Executive Board on 7 April ahead of the 2022 IMF and World Bank’s Spring Meetings.
IFI governance
News
Staff changes in key positions at the IMF reflect adherence to out-dated gentleman’s agreement
IMF announces leadership changes as Gita Gopinath promoted to First Deputy Managing Director, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas named Chief Economist, and Nadia Calviño heads IMFC.
Private Sector
Analysis
How IMF and World Bank support for financialisation undermines human rights
IMF and World Bank policies and programmes work in tandem to expand and deepen financialisation, exacerbating the inequality crisis and harming human rights, financial stability and democratic governance
Private Sector
News
World Bank’s re-labelled Business Enabling Environment Project does little to address substantial flaws of Doing Business Report
Civil society calls for urgent evaluation of Doing Business impacts as the World Bank announces a rebranded Business Enabling Environment Project, failing to address underlying issues.
Finance
Background
What are IMF surcharges?
This Inside the Institutions looks at the issue of surcharges, which are additional interest payments the IMF imposes on countries with large, outstanding debts to the IMF.
Finance
News
IMF capital control review: A missed opportunity to support a just recovery and stability
IMF review of institutional view on capital controls disappoints as it largely maintains the policy framework of its predecessor
Finance
News
Ineffective G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative ends as world faces worst debt crisis in decades
As countries resume debt payment obligations amid unequal pandemic recovery CSOs call for debt cancellation and a multilateral debt workout mechanism.
Finance
News
Civil society campaign urges IMF to stop using punitive surcharges
Over 250 civil society experts urge the IMF to eliminate its punitive surcharges on countries in debt distress as they undermine an equitable economic recovery and exacerbate the global debt crisis.
Gender
Background
The Bretton Woods Project welcomes new gender project staff
BWP is pleased to welcome Friederike Strub as our Gender Equality and Macroeconomics Lead and Amy McShane as Gender Project Officer.
Gender
Commentary
Civil society statement regarding IMF's upcoming first-ever gender strategy
Civil society joint statement formulates a set of key policy asks grounded in a commitment to critically assess the gendered impact of the Fund’s conventional fiscal, monetary, and labour market policy advice.
