IMF’s new gender mainstreaming strategy makes effort to include civil society demands but falls short of transformative vision as austerity remains Fund’s raison-d’état.
Mexico
Finance
News
Time for action: How can IMF help countries use their SDRs for crisis recovery?
If the Special Drawing Rights allocation is to benefit the poorest and most vulnerable, decision makers must use SDRs to respond to the pandemic and its economic consequences.
Finance
Analysis
The World Bank and the globalisation of housing finance
In prioritising capital market expansion, the needs of the lowest income groups are not being effectively addressed through World Bank interventions.
Environment
Analysis
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
A revised Clean Technology Fund (CTF) pipeline management and cancellation policy has been approved. A document outlining further details on the proposed “CTF 2.0” will be discussed. Approval for reallocation of funds for a Morocco project was challenged by Germany and the decision postponed.
Environment
Analysis
Forest Investment Program (FIP)
Challenges in measuring progress were noted for the Forest Investment Program (FIP), in particular greenhouse gas accounting. Investment plans for Mozambique and Ivory Coast have been approved. Questions were raised over the reasoning for a commercial teak plantation project in Ghana.
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 14
New edition of the Bretton Woods Project's biannual Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) Monitor, including an update on the Green Climate Fund, published to coincide with the World Bank-hosted CIFs trust fund committee meetings.
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 13
New edition of the Bretton Woods Project's biannual Climate Investment Fund (CIFs) Monitor, published to coincide with the World Bank-hosted CIFs trust fund committee meetings.
Environment
Analysis
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
The upcoming Clean Technology Fund (CTF) resource shortfall continues to raise concerns. A proposal for “CTF 2.0” will be discussed, including two proposed modalities: CTF Green Markets and the Risk Mitigation Facility. Concerns were raised over safeguards for a geothermal energy project in Indonesia.
Environment
Analysis
Forest Investment Program (FIP)
The rationale for adding new pilot countries to the Forest Investment Program (FIP) given funding constraints has been questioned, as well as the focus on providing loans rather than grants. The CIF strategic directions paper noted challenges for the FIP, and proposed a new private sector window. Questions were raised about the consultation of ethnic minorities in relation to a Laos project.
Rights
News
World Bank safeguards review: “human rights-free zone”
A UN special rapporteur, CSOs and donor countries have critiqued the lack of human rights in the World Bank's draft new environmental and social framework, as the consultation process has continued to be fraught with difficulty.
Environment
Commentary
A critical juncture for forests: Will the World Bank rise to meet the global challenge?
World Bank is called to take a leadership role in reducing deforestation and promote community forest management, including through its new Forest Action Plan.
Environment
Analysis
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
An impending shortfall in available resources for the Clean Technology Fund continues to concern, leading to cancellation of projects. Questions were raised about development impacts and reliance on geothermal energy in India and Indonesia's revised investment plans, and on debt sustainability in a Caribbean project.
