Bretton Woods Observer
Autumn 2025
Fuelling authoritarianism: The role of the Fund and Bank in eroding the social contract
BWIs’ policies continue to contribute to the rise of populism, authoritarianism and backlash against multilateralism despite the institutions’ long-standing concerns and rhetorical support for reform.
The Bretton Woods twins and the Trump tariffs: Implications for the Global South
The US’s decision to forsake core tenets of neoliberalism potentially deepens IMF’s crisis of legitimacy.
Beyond loans: The human rights impacts of IMF conditionalities in Argentina
IMF conditionality review must acknowledge that macroeconomic stability cannot be built on erosion of rights, care systems and environment.
UN80: A missed opportunity for transformation?
Member states must deliver on strategic transformation that enables UN to respond to growing crises.
Future of IMF’s climate work uncertain, as climate crisis intensifies
US hostility to IMF’s climate work risks further exacerbating macroeconomic fallout from climate crisis.
IFC Sustainability Framework Review: Overlooking structural issues
Constrained by the shareholders’ focus on returns over financial risk, IFC prioritises safe markets and leverage, often crowding out private finance instead of providing patient capital for development.
The Rabat Roadmap: Activist resistance, militarism and the global economy
The Declaration is launched this month, bringing together feminist, economic justice and climate justice advocates’ demands for systemic change.
Mass protests erupt in Angola following IMF-backed fuel subsidy removals
Civil society warns that without wider debt relief removing consumer subsidies simply shifts the burden onto the poor.
International Court of Justice ruling delivers ‘earthquake’ on states’ obligations to address climate crisis
Landmark opinion confirms states have a binding legal duty to prevent climate harm, which has implications for their ‘voice and vote’ at IFIs.
Civil society urges the IFC and ADB to cancel financing for Pakistan copper mine
Located in a militarised region, the project risks exacerbating social disruption and environmental destruction.
Civil society awaits Bank’s Fragility, Conflict & Violence strategy consultation opportunity
Despite Bank’s existing FCV strategy expiring this year, civil society still await announcement of public consultation on its replacement.
Gita Gopinath’s departure rekindles debate about US exorbitant influence at IMF
Gopinath to be replaced by US Treasury Secretary’s chief of staff, while Fund’s voting structure preserves US veto power despite calls for greater global representation.
New investigation highlights harms of for-profit healthcare funded by IFC-backed private equity group
New exposé highlights allegations of abuse at hospitals invested in by IFC’s client TPG Inc.
BWP launches new briefing on IMF surveillance
New BWP briefing analyses the impact of IMF surveillance on gender and social inequality.
