The Bretton Woods Project is a civil society watchdog of the IMF and World Bank. We advocate for a multilateral system that is democratic, inclusive, transparent, accountable, and responsive to people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

Latest from the Bretton Woods Project

Finance

Analysis

Sustainable development requires sustainable finance: why local currency financing is part of the solution

Multilateral development banks can reduce their dependence on hard currency lending and make local currency financing a central element of their developmental mandate.

16 October 2024 | At Issue

Private Sector

Commentary

IFC standards review must respond to UN’s call for rights-based transition mineral value chains

Amid escalating transition minerals mining, the expected 2025 review of IFC’s Performance Standards must result in a new approach.

16 October 2024 | Guest comment
October 25, 2024 - Washington, D.C. | Participants of the 2024 IMF/World Bank Group Annual Meetings’ Development Committee: Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Ajay Banga, Kristalina Georgieva, and Mercy Tembon. Photo: Simone McCourtie / World Bank (via Flickr).

IFI governance

Analysis

Development Committee chair’s statement analysis Annual Meetings 2024: compounding crises expose the World Bank’s role in structural failures but limit scope for reform

Despite Development Committee’s call for increased development impact amidst compounding crises, persistent geopolitical fragmentation constrains the critical reforms needed to address structural failures.

29 October 2024

IFI governance

Analysis

G20 communiqué analysis Annual Meetings 2024: progress on tax and inequality obscures Group's wider failures

At the 25th anniversary of the Group’s Finance Track, the G20 communiqué’s robust language on the taxation of billionaires, including encouraging “constructive discussions” about the UN Tax Conference was contrasted by much more cautious language on MDB reform, climate finance, debt and Special Drawing Rights.

29 October 2024

IFI governance

Analysis

G24 communiqué analysis Annual Meetings 2024: calls for robust multilateral response to mounting risk and global crises

G24 calls for robust multilateral response to debt, development and climate crises, arguing the IMF and World Bank must continue reform in order to maintain legitimacy and fulfil their mandate.

29 October 2024

IFI governance

Analysis

IMFC chair’s statement analysis Annual Meetings 2024: a fiscal consolidation “pivot” as IMF struggles to get its house in order

Chair’s statement calls for a ‘pivot’ to fiscal consolidation and announces possible approaches to guide further quota realignment by June 2025. In contrast, China’s statement calls for work to begin on alignment even without resolution of 16th quota review.

29 October 2024

Other news

Environment

News

BWP’s new briefing finds year one of World Bank’s Paris Agreement alignment in the energy sector deepened 'green conditionalities'

New BWP briefing on the World Bank’s Paris Agreement alignment in the energy sector finds that, in its first year, the focus was on deepening 'green conditionality' and structuring a private sector-led energy transition.

16 October 2024

Finance

News

High stakes for December’s IDA21 pledging meeting

The replenishment process for IDA21 concludes in early December, amid hopes of a record replenishment and concerns over the global debt crisis.

16 October 2024

IFI governance

News

CSOs call for mandatory and meaningful consultation at the IMF

Civil society organisations call for consultation on the design of policies that significantly impact states and citizens.

16 October 2024

Finance

News

IMF surcharges review: tinkering at the margins as crises deepen?

IMF’s surcharges review is resorting to incremental changes by reviewing the level and time base of penalty charges, instead of achieving meaningful reform

16 October 2024

Infrastructure

News

Banga calls energy access a ‘human right’ as he announces World Bank will provide access for 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030

Explicit mention of human rights obligations has long been a taboo subject at the World Bank.

3 July 2024

Trade

News

Ecuador ratifies 2008 ban on investor-state dispute settlement mechanism

Ecuador referendum reinforces the country’s decision against a mechanism criticised for being asymmetric, unjust and detrimental to citizens’ rights.

3 July 2024