29 September 2014
As the IMF and World Bank mark their 70th anniversary their leadership is being challenged as rival institutions have emerged, but reports of their demise appear premature.
World Bank’s new draft environmental and social framework is criticised as a step backwards that could lower the standards for the international development community.
A review of the World Bank’s support for public-private partnerships by the Independent Evaluation Group reveals a lack of proven poverty impacts.
World Bank’s Inspection Panel's new pilot process has left some 9,000 evicted people in Nigeria without adequate remedy, allowing the Bank to avoid accountability
World Bank health financing benefits wealthy elites not poorest according to new IEG evaluation and Oxfam analysis
Ghana's recent turn to the IMF raises questions about the 'Africa rising' narrative and may signal a stronger role for the Fund in the region.
The IFC is set to expand operations in fragile and conflict-affected states such as Burma, despite indications that systemic problems identified in Honduras persist.
IFC investments in Burma hotels have been criticised for weak poverty reduction impact. IFC claims that investment in luxury hotels in India will provide “affordable hotels”.
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 group supports the growth of the green bond market through the IBRD and the IFC to “catalyse the market through strategic issuances of green bonds based on their triple-A ratings.”
As the world celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is time the IMF’s shareholders use the opportunities provided by the anniversary and growing calls for reforms to the international financial architecture to redesign the IMF’s governance structures and programmes to ensure they are consistent with the commitments outlined in 1948 and with international human rights law.
Influence of unreformed international financial institutions and creditor interests in debt solutions in low- and middle-income countries plagued by delay and ineffective when undertaken.
