Doing Business scandal once again highlights that geopolitical wrangling is key driving force behind Bretton Woods Institutions’ governance structure and policy prescriptions.
North America
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings 2021 Preamble: IMF and World Bank face existential questions in midst of global health and climate crises
Doing Business scandal, likely conditions attached to SDR rechannelling and lack of Bank and Fund support for an intellectual property waiver for vaccines highlight links between undemocratic governance structures at Bank and Fund and the uneven recovery from the pandemic.
IFI governance
Background
IMF surcharges: A necessary tool or counter-productive obstacle to a just and green recovery?
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 6 October on the governance and resourcing implications of IMF's surcharges.
IFI governance
Background
Making the Most of Special Drawing Rights: Approaches to maximise impact and create a sustainable and just recovery
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 4 October on the ways to maximise the impacts of the recent allocation of $650 billion Special Drawing Rights.
Infrastructure
News
New US treasury guidance introduces limits for US support for fossil fuels at World Bank
Civil society voices concern about continued support for fossil gas under the policy.
Social services
News
Malpass makes World Bank a pariah with opposition to TRIPS waiver
World Bank President comes out against temporarily waiving intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring Meetings 2021 wrap up: Socialism for those who can afford it, neoliberalism for the rest
As the world struggles with divergent recovery paths from the pandemic, the IMF and World Bank once again failed to take the decisive action required during the Spring Meetings.
IFI governance
Analysis
Development Committee communiqué analysis - Spring 2021
Analysis of the IMF and World Bank Development Commitee communiqué published on 9 April from the 2021 World Bank and IMF virtual Spring Meetings.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMFC communiqué analysis – Spring Meetings 2021
Analysis of the IMFC communiqué published on 8 April from the 2021 World Bank and IMF virtual Spring Meetings.
Finance
Analysis
G20 communiqué analysis – Spring Meetings 2021
Analysis of the G20 communiqué published on 7 April from the 2021 World Bank and IMF virtual Spring Meetings.
Finance
Analysis
Tip of the iceberg: How the call for SDRs reveals the urgency for deeper reforms of the global reserve system to address systemic inequalities
Renewed calls for a substantial SDR allocation raise urgency of reforming the inequitable global reserve ‘non-system’.
Finance
Analysis
G20 debt proposal continues to favour creditors
New common framework for debt relief announced at G20 Leaders’ Summit maintains prominent role of IMF and fails to include World Bank debt relief.
