Accountability

Commentary

World Bank accountability mechanisms: Any lessons learned yet?

27 February 2014

The effectiveness of the Bank's accountability mechanisms relies on the extent their findings are accepted by Bank management. In three recent cases the Bank president has not responded seriously to their findings. The mechanisms must be made powerful and independent enough to hold the Bank to account.

Finance

Analysis

BRICS Bank: New bottle, how’s the wine?

Last year BRICS' leaders agreed to launch a BRICS development bank. Whether this is considered positive depends in part what questions are being asked. Sameer Dossani of ActionAid International highlights the flaws in the World Bank and IMF, analyses whether a BRICS Bank could be different from these institutions and proposes what it should do and what it should look like.

27 February 2014 | At Issue

Rights

Analysis

IFC's bitter tea

As the CAO publishes its assessment report of its investigation into allegations of human rights violations by IFC-funded APPL, Tata Tea's parent company in Assam new evidence emerges of the IFC's failings.

27 February 2014 | Guest analysis

Conditionality

News

The Troika “hellhound” bites back in Greece

Troika mulls new loan while Greek government touts economic success story but economic, health and human rights conditions deteriorate. Lagarde admits “miscalculations” occurred in Greek loan, while European parliamentary committee blasts Troika as unaccountable and illegitimate.

27 February 2014

Conditionality

Analysis

IMF blames the victims as markets thow another taper tantrum

As emerging markets suffer renewed bout of financial volatility, risk of worse to come as IMF struggles to provide even-handed global policy coordination.

27 February 2014

Infrastructure

Analysis

World Bank’s thirst for hydropower

The World Bank and IFC continue push for controversial hydropower, with projects in Guatemala, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Africa, Niger, Pakistan and Macedonia. The Bank warned on long term viability of hydropower, as Uruguay’s state hydro company agreed insurance with the Bank.

27 February 2014

Land

News

World Bank and agriculture: Cultivating controversy?

The World Bank’s push for ‘climate-smart agriculture’, including a new joint initiative, was criticised by CSOs. An Inspection Panel case on forced labour in Uzbekistan cotton fields was postponed for up to 12 months.

27 February 2014

Social services

News

World Bank’s Burma spending spree

The World Bank has announced big spending programmes in health, electricity and telecoms in Burma, however, critics point to its failure to protect human rights or consult properly with civil society.

27 February 2014

Environment

News

World Bank’s mining treasure map

The World Bank is promoting a “billion dollar map” of minerals in Africa, and continues to invest in fossil fuel extraction. Controversy is tainting Bank-funded mines in Colombia and Haiti as locals resist the extractive projects.

27 February 2014

Private Sector

News

Shopping mall Shangri-La: IFC’s lending for luxury

IFC investments in luxury hotels and shopping malls highlight projects with weak development outcomes.

27 February 2014

Finance

Background

IMF lending facilities to low-income countries

The IMF has reformed lending facilities for low income countries, introducing three credit facilities; the Policy Support Instrument, a non-financing programme will monitor the mechanisms with a review expected in 2015.

27 February 2014 | Inside the institutions