Accountability

News

Trade policy training challenged, but donors commit more funds

25 March 2002

The heads of six major international institutions met to discuss their roles in trade policy formulation. They agreed that the World Bank should play a “lead role”, ensuring that trade policy reform is a major part of PRSPs. NGOs released a statement of concern about official approaches to trade policy capacity building, but donors allocated more money.

Infrastructure

News

NGOs continue challenge to Bank on oil, gas and mining

NGOs have achieved some changes to the World Bank’s Extractive Industries Review but feel that problems remain. Their determination to change the Bank’s approach to oil, gas and mining is shown by a new campaign launched in France.

25 March 2002

Infrastructure

News

Engineers, campaigners condemn Bank for Dams Commission follow-up

The World Bank was praised for helping establish the World Commission on Dams, a body which included fierce critics and ardent proponents of dams. Now, however, it is under fire from both sides for failing to implement the Commission’s suggested new approaches to water and energy planning. The Bank’s new draft water strategy “seriously misrepresents” the Commission’s findings.

25 March 2002

Social services

News

Ghanaians contest Bank-backed water privatisation

A broad coalition of organisations is challenging the plan to privatise Ghana’s water system. They complain that the World Bank and IMF-promoted scheme will not extend services to poorer people or ensure fair pricing. The deal - which the IMF has just made part of its new conditions for Ghana - reflects the biases of the consultants which drew it up at a cost of $3million.

25 March 2002

IFI governance

News

Parliamentarians gear up to increase scrutiny of World Bank

A number of efforts are moving forward to make it easier for elected representatives to monitor the World Bank. They include the World Bank Parliamentary Network and initiatives stemming from the World Social Forum and the French parliament. Closer collaboration with NGO Bank-watchers will help make them a success.

25 March 2002

IFI governance

News

Wolfensohn appoints poverty results champion under pressure from US

The World Bank has appointed a new Vice President for “results”. He commented, “we need to move from largely measuring inputs to better focusing on outputs and outcomes”. This is a response to calls from the US administration which has said it will make future contributions to the Bank conditional on measuring precise results.

25 March 2002