Meg Taylor, CAO We have recently reviewed our operational guidelines and wanted to introduce more…
Sub-Saharan Africa
Accountability
Background
CSOs - Inspection Panel meeting and discussion
Q: How do you train the board? Organise orientation of new Board members, are often…
Infrastructure
Analysis
Costly dams criticised
In March the Bank approved funding related to the controversial Inga 3 dam project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while an academic study finds large dams often are neither cost efficient nor carbon neutral.
Rights
News
World Bank accused of resettlement “cultural genocide”
A series of high-profile eviction cases in Kenya, Nigeria and Cambodia has exposed the World Bank’s failure to protect the human rights of communities supposed to benefit from its projects, prompting widespread international condemnation.
Finance
News
Malawi’s cash-gate scandal
The IMF has restarted its programme in Malawi after alleged looting of government money in 2013, releasing a $20 million disbursement. NGOs have voiced their dissatisfaction with the IMF, as well as the government over the failure to publish an audit upon which Fund's decision was based.
Rights
News
Witness: The World Bank's damage to communities and the environment
Bretton Woods Project and Oxfam are pleased to invite you to a meeting with leading activists including from Cameroon, India, and Argentina who are visiting London as part of a European lobby tour. 11 March 2014 at 14:30.
Accountability
Commentary
World Bank accountability mechanisms: Any lessons learned yet?
The effectiveness of the Bank's accountability mechanisms relies on the extent their findings are accepted by Bank management. In three recent cases the Bank president has not responded seriously to their findings. The mechanisms must be made powerful and independent enough to hold the Bank to account.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank’s thirst for hydropower
The World Bank and IFC continue push for controversial hydropower, with projects in Guatemala, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Africa, Niger, Pakistan and Macedonia. The Bank warned on long term viability of hydropower, as Uruguay’s state hydro company agreed insurance with the Bank.
Land
News
World Bank and agriculture: Cultivating controversy?
The World Bank’s push for ‘climate-smart agriculture’, including a new joint initiative, was criticised by CSOs. An Inspection Panel case on forced labour in Uzbekistan cotton fields was postponed for up to 12 months.
Finance
Analysis
BRICS Bank: New bottle, how’s the wine?
Last year BRICS' leaders agreed to launch a BRICS development bank. Whether this is considered positive depends in part what questions are being asked. Sameer Dossani of ActionAid International highlights the flaws in the World Bank and IMF, analyses whether a BRICS Bank could be different from these institutions and proposes what it should do and what it should look like.
Environment
News
World Bank’s mining treasure map
The World Bank is promoting a “billion dollar map” of minerals in Africa, and continues to invest in fossil fuel extraction. Controversy is tainting Bank-funded mines in Colombia and Haiti as locals resist the extractive projects.
Private Sector
News
Shopping mall Shangri-La: IFC’s lending for luxury
IFC investments in luxury hotels and shopping malls highlight projects with weak development outcomes.
