Western Europe

Finance

Analysis

IMF and debt restructuring: just talk?

An IMF staff blog has acknowledged weaknesses in IMF’s approach to debt sustainability, meanwhile civil society continues to demand human rights-based approach considering who bears burden of debt repayment.

22 March 2017 | Guest analysis
Mapa del Corredor de Gas del Sur. Crédito: Bankwatch

Infrastructure

Analysis

The rise and fall of World Bank funded megaprojects

The World Bank has announced funding for the controversial Southern Gas Corridor, while exiting two other high profile but problematic megaprojects, Inga 3 in Democratic Republic of Congo and Simandou in Guinea.

31 January 2017

Finance

Analysis

IFC investment in Stora Enso: the need for a responsible IFC tax policy

The International Finance Corporation praises the pulp and paper company Stora Enso as an industry leader in environmental and social standards, but questions about Stora Enso’s Dutch tax arrangement remain unresolved.

31 January 2017 | Guest analysis
La directora gerente del FMI, Christine Lagarde, fue hallada culpable por el tribunal francés en circunstancias atenuantes. Crédito: MercoPress

Accountability

News

IMF managing director found guilty of “negligence”, remains at IMF

French court finds IMF managing director Lagarde guilty of “negligence in dealing with public funds” when she was finance minister in 2008, however no fine or sentence was imposed.

31 January 2017
La canciller alemana Merkel y el director gerente del FMI Lagarde; Crédito: FMI

Finance

News

Doubts persist over IMF participation in new Greek programme

IMF claims it is does not advocate austerity as Greek finance minister accuses IMF of economising with the truth and pushing harmful and counterproductive reforms.

31 January 2017

Conditionality

Analysis

IMF “rebuked” over role in Troika and its lending to Greece, Ireland and Portugal

IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office has found the Fund’s 2010/2011 Troika lending to Greece, Ireland and Portugal fell short in terms of surveillance, design, implementation and decision making, and described controversial decisions as appearing “rubber-stamped”.

23 September 2016

IFI governance

Background

UK civil society meeting with DFID: Annual meetings and IDA

Notes of a UK CSO meeting with DFID on the annual meetings and the IDA process 23 September 2016.

10 November 2016 | Minutes

IFI governance

News

IMF’s Lagarde to face trial in France

IMF’s managing director lost a July appeal to avoid trial in France over negligence while French finance minister.

23 September 2016

IFI governance

Analysis

One man, one vote, one option: World Bank set to coronate Kim for second term

The World Bank is set to reappoint president Jim Yong Kim for another five year term, despite persistent concerns from Bank staff and renewed calls for a merit-based process based on principles of transparency and diversity.

23 September 2016

Finance

Analysis

Public-private partnerships: The global debt iceberg?

Despite their popularity, PPPs have a very bad track record of delivering cost-effective investment for governments, and pose additional and serious problems by reducing transparency and accountability.

29 June 2016 | Guest analysis

IFI governance

Background

UK civil society meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson

Notes of a meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson 21 July 2016.

2 September 2016 | Minutes

Finance

News

Third time a charm? Fund pressured into possible return to Greece

As Eurozone countries agree a new loan package to Greece, the IMF has conceded to ‘major concessions’ instead of up front debt relief and may participate in a new programme despite its insistence that the Fund's involvement in future programmes is dependent on ‘significant debt relief’.

29 June 2016