Highlights of a 22 June 2007 meeting between UK NGOs and UK executive director to the World Bank and IMF, Tom Scholar. Issues covered included review of the Bank's transport strategy, avoided deforestation, conditionality, debt, social protection and IFI governance.
Western Europe
IFI governance
News
UK Treasury to focus on IMF surveillance reform in 2007
In its annual report to parliament about the UK and the IMF, this year subtitled "Reform to delivery prosperity for all", the UK Treasury's most ambitious goal for 2007 is to revise the IMF's surveillance framework. While also setting out to build on the proposals for governance reform of the IMF, the report does not prioritise creating an open and merit-based process for selecting the managing director of the IMF, overhauling the transparency policy at the Fund, or grappling with the issue of w
Accountability
News
Wolfowitz affair approaches day of reckoning
Week five of the scandal at the World Bank over president Paul Wolfowitz's promotion of partner Shaha Riza started with the resignation of one of Wolfowitz's inner circle, advisor Kevin Kellems. It was not a good omen, as things have gone from bad to worse for the embattled president.
IFI governance
Background
Highlights of BWI-UK / UKAN Workshop: The roles of the IFIs in low-income countries
Highlights/summary of outcomes for the 1 May 2007 BWI-UK / UKAN Workshop: The roles of the IFIs in low-income countries
IFI governance
Background
European CSO meeting with European IMF EDs
Incomplete minutes of European CSO meeting with European IMF EDs, 13 April 2007
Conditionality
Background
Workshop on aid and the roles of the World Bank and IMF in low-income countries
To date there have been gaps in the thinking and policy lines of UK NGOs on several key questions in relation to low-income countries, multilateral institutions and development. The 1 May 2007 workshop will bring the BWI-UK and UKAN networks together to address the following four questions, with a view to coordinating policy and advocacy positions: 1. What role do/should the IMF and World Bank be playing in the evolving international aid architecture? 2. Should the IMF be providing dev
IFI governance
Background
Highlights of UK NGO meeting with HM Treasury on IMF governance
Minutes of a consultation between UK NGOs and HM Treasury on IMF governance, 4 April 2007
Infrastructure
Background
Highlights of meeting with Tom Scholar and UK NGOs
Highlights of meeting between Tom Scholar and UK NGOs, April 2007
Finance
Background
Civil society meeting with German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development and Liberian Min
Minutes from meeting: The agenda of the Development Committee and Africa as a focal point for growth and responsibility, with Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany and Antoinette M. Sayeh, Minister of Finance, Republic of Liberia.
Accountability
News
Wolfowitz sits tight amidst more allegations and divided ministers
The latest in Washington indicates that Wolfowitz will remain as World Bank head for a while yet, despite an increasingly shaky defence.
Infrastructure
News
More fossil fuels and faith in the private sector
As part of its commitment to solve the global problems of energy poverty and climate change, in late March the World Bank and the European Investment Bank launched the Carbon Fund for Europe. However the Bank’s recent Implementation of the Management Response to the Extractive Industries Review 2006 reveals an alarming rise in its fossil fuel operations and show that little progress has been made on its environment and development indicators.
Environment
News
European governments told ‘put your money where your mouth is’ when committing new funds
Campaigners across Europe are telling governments to threaten to withhold funds from the World Bank unless specific changes are made to policy and practice.
