At 75, the World Bank and IMF face a crisis of multilateralism in no small part of their own making as failed economic policies have resulted in skepticism of the international order they helped to create.
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North America
Gender
News
World Bank’s women entrepreneur initiatives just “smoke and mirrors”
As We-Fi launches regional West Africa summit, feminists criticise narrow focus of women entrepreneur initiatives, while funding for women’s rights is in decline.
IFI governance
News
Quota reform impasse likely as IMF faces legitimacy crisis
Latest Review of Quotas expected to be quashed, as US signals it will block reform.
IFI governance
Analysis
World Bank president selection: 'Gentleman's agreement' alive and well
World Bank's board fails to live up to commitments to open, transparent and merit-based selection process for Bank president.
Accountability
News
US Supreme Court rules against World Bank’s claim of absolute immunity
US Supreme Court rejects IFC's immunity from suits in the US in landmark case
IFI governance
Analysis
IMFC communiqué analysis - Annual Meetings 2018
Analysis of the IMFC communiqué, issued on 12 October, from the 2018 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia.
IFI governance
News
Inspection Panel and Compliance Ombudsman Advisor reviews: Will World Bank fill the half-empty glass?
Civil society press for review of Inspection Panel and Compliance Advisor Ombudsman to result in reserve funds, community-led monitoring systems and greater power for accountability mechanisms.
Accountability
News
US Supreme Court to hear case challenging IFC’s claim to absolute immunity
Court's decision on IFC’s legal immunity in the Tata Mundra coal-fired power plant case will set important precedent
Other news
Rights
News
IFC announces changes to environmental and social framework after loss of immunity in the US
IFC announces changes to environment and social safeguards after historic United States Supreme Court ruling.
Finance
News
Pakistan requests 13th IMF loan, amid US-China tensions
As Pakistan requests an IMF loan amid concerns about its debt sustainability, the IMF response is caught up in China-US tensions.
IFI governance
News
Follow BWP’s World Bank and IMF 2019 Spring Meetings Dispatch
BWP will provide analysis of the ministerial meetings’ communiqués, notes from CSPF seminars and more on BWP’s Dispatch page.
Accountability
News
US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on challenge to IFC’s absolute immunity
Plaintiffs make case for ending IFC's 'absolute immunity'
IFI governance
News
World Bank general capital increase to be formalised in October
World Bank board to formalise contentious general capital increase at October Annual Meetings
Accountability
News
Indian fishing communities petition US Supreme Court to hear case against IFC
Indian fishing communities that claim to have been harmed by IFC investments seek to challenge its 'absolute immunity'
Rights
News
Indian plaintiffs seek US Supreme Court review of IFC's “absolute immunity”
Indian fishing communities and farmers will ask the highest court in the US to rule on IFC's immunity for its role in the controversial Tata Mundra coal-fired power plant in India.
Private Sector
News
World Bank arbitration mechanism ICSID rules in favour of El Salvador
ICSID, a World Bank arm for investor-state dispute arbitration, ruled that the $250 million case brought by Pac Rim Cayman against El Salvador in 2009 was without merit.
Featured briefings
30 July 2019
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2019
30 July 2019
The Bretton Woods Institutions and the second crisis of multilateralism
At 75, the World Bank and IMF face a crisis of multilateralism in no small part of their own making as failed economic policies have resulted in skepticism of the international order they helped to create.
4 April 2019