As India has risen in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings, it has seen other key development indicators slip.
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South Asia
Infrastructure
Analysis
Local communities oppose planned dam construction supported by World Bank in Manipur
World Bank supports hydropower building spree in Manipur, threatening local communities’ livelihoods in the process.
Environment
News
Links between Amazon deforestation and World Bank exposed
IFC equity investment linked to development of key Brazilian transport corridor, leading to accelerated deforestation in the area.
IFI governance
News
Board decision could signal “vote of no confidence” in Inspection Panel
CSO fear World Bank board will compromise, undermining Inspection Panel powers.
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
Rights
News
Will IMF stick its head in the sand on human rights Guiding Principles?
UN releases Guiding Principles on human rights impact assessments of economic reforms, begging the question of how the IMF will respond.
Knowledge
News
Doing Business 2019: World Bank’s tunnel vision obscures calls for reform
The Doing Business Report 2019 criticised by civil society over its promotion of deregulation and low business tax.
Environment
News
As climate crisis bites, World Bank further distances itself from coal
International Finance Corporation announced new ‘green equity’ policy to encourage financial intermediaries to divest from coal, while Bank pulled plug on mooted Kosovo coal project.
Other news
Gender
Background
Advancing a feminist approach to women's economic inequality
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum panel event on 16 October on women's economic inequality and macroeconomic policy.
Gender
Background
Cutting to the core: Rethinking the IMF’s way of doing business to tackle gender inequalities
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum panel event on 17 October on the IMF’s approach to gender.
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
Background
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Shifting the IFI Narrative to Progressive Gender-just Taxation
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 12 April on the changing international tax landscape from a feminist perspective and challenging IFIs’ role in shaping it at the World Bank and IMF's 2019 Spring Meetings.
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.
Accountability
News
US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on challenge to IFC’s absolute immunity
Plaintiffs make case for ending IFC's 'absolute immunity'
Land
News
Potential Inspection Panel probe of Amaravati 'land grab' allegations deferred again
Panel received request to investigate allegations related to proposed World Bank loan in 2017.
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'
Featured briefings
12 December 2019
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2019
12 December 2019
Ease of Doing Business – what does it conceal?
As India has risen in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings, it has seen other key development indicators slip.
10 October 2019