The World Bank-hosted Global Infrastructure Facility has been launched despite concerns over risks, including duplication with other initiatives, such as the new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
The World Bank has confirmed its intention to develop a Global Infrastructure Facility, prioritising projects that have stalled due to size or complexity, while concerns continue over the Bank’s support for the Democratic Republic of Congo Inga dams.
World Bank president Jim Yong Kim reiterated the Bank’s intentions to develop a global infrastructure facility, while the G20 process on infrastructure continued to focus on PPPs. The G20 accountability report noted failure to address environmental safeguards, and criticism on privatisation in the energy sector was raised by PSIRU.
The Global Infrastructure Facility is expected to be launched as a World Bank-hosted programme in October. Concerns remain about the Bank’s continued support for fossil fuel infrastructure.
The World Bank, in conjunction with the G20, is reinvigorating its infrastructure focus, paying particular attention to leveraging resources from the private sector and investing in fragile and conflict affected states. It announced a return to big hydropower projects, despite continued concerns about projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala and Uganda.
World Bank faces increased competition over large scale infrastructure in Asia, with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS Bank.
This briefing analyses the "biggest investment boom in human history", examining elements of a new public-private partnership focused infrastructure investment model, including the role of the World Bank Group.
Minutes from a meeting with UK NGOs and DFID on Financing for Development and infrastructure.
The Global Financing Facility, hosted by the World Bank, aims to scale up support for sexual and reproductive health, however, concerns remain that funds may be transferred from existing programmes.
The remaining vacancies in the World Bank’s new global practices and cross cutting solutions areas, which emerged as part of the Bank’s 2013 strategy, have been filled.
IBON Foundation Inc. and BAYAN (New Patriotic Alliance) are organising a conference from 8-11th November to discuss alternative strategies and paradigms to neo-liberal globalisation.
Notes from a meeting on income inequality during the World Bank spring meetings.
