To prevent repression and retaliation at their Annual Meetings in Marrakesh, World Bank and IMF must work proactively with MENA civil society and Moroccan authorities on safeguarding civic space and upholding free speech.

To prevent repression and retaliation at their Annual Meetings in Marrakesh, World Bank and IMF must work proactively with MENA civil society and Moroccan authorities on safeguarding civic space and upholding free speech.
Despite continued public rhetoric about importance of civil society engagement, Bank is yet to commit to holding a public consultation period on its Paris alignment approach.
Spring Meetings conclude with frantic calls for stronger multilateralism, but few advances in key issues such as Covid-19 unequal recovery, debt, inequality and climate crises, while Russia participation prevents G20, G24 and Development Committee from releasing a communique.
War in Ukraine will have significant spillover effects as Global South continues to carry the burden of vaccine inequity. Debt, austerity and evolving food crisis key talking points of Meetings while unequal recovery, gender, RST and surcharges key issues at CSPF.
Civil society and economists unite in calls for IMF to abolish unethical and harmful surcharges on member countries that undermine financial stability and Covid-19 recovery.
IMF gender research direction shifts away from macroeconomic drivers of gender inequality.
It is time for the IMF and World Bank to understand their own responsibility and decolonise their approach.
Amidst multiple financial and economic crises, a classic IMF intervention in Lebanon could exacerbate inequalities and social tensions.
Egypt’s new EFF program will likely deepen the country’s debt crisis, instead of helping improve its socioeconomic conditions.
World Bank plans to publish latest DBR in March and undertake an external review of the report’s methodology.
Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum on 12 October titled: "Coup d'états and political instability: The roles of national, regional, and international actors."
Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum event on April 13, 2022 on "Are We Heading Towards and Austerity-Based Recovery?"
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 29 September on fiscal measures to promote sustainable growth during the longer-term recovery phase.
Notes from the virtual Civil Society Policy Forum session on 29 March.
Environmental groups and activists claim victory after years of campaigning.
Marrakesh was due to host 2021 meetings prior to announcement.