Notes of a meeting between Rachel Turner of DFID and UK NGOs, April 2010
Western Europe
Environment
News
UK complacent about World Bank failings
In its annual report, the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) highlighted serious weaknesses in the World Bank's work on gender and crisis response, but overlooked failings on health, climate impacts and governance reform.
Knowledge
Analysis
Fundamental change or more of the same?
In this review, we assess the progress of the G20, and particularly of the UK government, towards the 12 policy recommendations as set out by the Put People First platform in March 2009 and identify areas where further progress should be pursued in 2010. This review shows that the international community needs to continue to focus on sustainable and equitable policy, by going far further than has so far been contemplated.
Conditionality
News
IMF approves Iceland's loan review
In mid April, after long delays, the IMF board approved the disbursement of Iceland's third loan instalment, amounting to $159 million, in mid April. The delays were caused by a dispute between Iceland and the UK and the Netherlands over compensation to British and Dutch account depositors in the collapsed of the Icelandic bank Icesave.
IFI governance
News
DFID annual report on World Bank spots weaknesses
In March, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) released its second annual report reviewing its work with the Bank and setting priorities for 2010.
Conditionality
News
Nordic contributions to IMF trust fund
The Norwegian government has taken to parliament a proposal for a $450 million contribution to the IMF's poverty reduction and growth trust PRGT. The trust fund holds resources for subsidising IMF lending facilities for low-income countries.
Accountability
News
World Bank and IMF enter debate on sources of climate finance
As experts in the United Nations Advisory Group on Finance (AGF) start to scope innovative sources of climate finance, the IMF issued its own proposal, while questions loom over the governance of climate funds. Meanwhile, the Climate Investment Funds' (CIFs) Partnership Forum exposed the limitations of the Bank's engagement with civil society in developing the funds thus far.
Finance
News
Rewriting the rules on exchange rates
The financial crisis has prompted renewed interest in reform of the international monetary system, with the role of the IMF squarely up for debate. As countries are starting to take sides for or against a comprehensive overhaul, regional initiatives may offer greater hope of change.
Accountability
Background
Meeting between UK civil society and Susanna Moorehead, UK Executive Director to the World Bank
Minutes of a meeting between UK civil society, UK World Bank Executive Director Susanna Moorehead, and DFID staff
Accountability
Background
Meeting between UK civil society and Alex Gibbs, UK IMF Executive Director
Minutes of a meeting between UK civil society, UK IMF Executive Director Alex Gibbs, and UK Treasury staff
Finance
News
Summary: Recovery towards what? Finance, justice, sustainability
Recovery towards what? Finance, justice, sustainability was an exciting and timely one-day conference on 6 November in London on all aspects of global finance and its role in both developed and developing countries. It brought together experts, researchers, practitioners and civil society to discuss how to reshape finance so that it contributes to a just and sustainable economy.
News
Your support for the Bretton Woods Project is crucial
After a year of helping to coordinate civil society responses to the global financial crisis, we at the Bretton Woods Project are more committed than ever to a global economic system that puts at its heart ending poverty, guaranteeing human rights and protecting the environment.
