Bretton Woods Observer
Can the IMF leopard change its spots?
In-house IMF magazine article provokes worldwide reaction as it questions IMF’s policy assumptions on austerity, capital controls and ‘neoliberalism’ itself; but Fund backtracks following media criticism
Lessons from Kenya: Why the World Bank must apply the Indigenous Peoples Policy consistently
The World Bank’s support for a Kenya electricity programme is criticised for failing to comply with its Indigenous Peoples Policy,…
World Bank set to finance criticised mega gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Europe
The World Bank has announced its intention to fund the Azerbaijan and Turkey part of the Southern Gas Corridor to…
World Bank results: “box-ticking” on gender, weak monitoring and evaluation
A new IEG report highlights persistent concerns with the World Bank’s monitoring and evaluation systems and ‘sluggish’ management response, and…
Public-private partnerships: The global debt iceberg?
Despite their popularity, PPPs have a very bad track record of delivering cost-effective investment for governments, and pose additional and serious problems by reducing transparency and accountability.
Third time a charm? Fund pressured into possible return to Greece
As Eurozone countries agree a new loan package to Greece, the IMF has conceded to ‘major concessions’ instead of up front debt relief and may participate in a new programme despite its insistence that the Fund’s involvement in future programmes is dependent on ‘significant debt relief’.
World Bank’s new Forest Action Plan questioned
The World Bank has released its Forest Action Plan, but civil society raised concerns, including regarding lack of impact in light of the outcomes of the safeguards review and the links to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility.
IFC-pushed private education investment model criticised by UN
Two UN committees and a special rapporteur have questioned development aid funding going to private education, including through IFC supported Bridge International Academies.
Renewed warnings over World Bank safeguards “dilution”
Further concerns have been raised over dilutions of the World Bank’s proposed new safeguards framework, as controversy arose over a Bank waiver of the indigenous peoples policy for a Tanzania project.
World Bank accountability mechanisms look to improve complainant protection
In response to increasing concern about the safety of human rights and environmental defenders, the World Bank’s accountability mechanisms look to improve complainant protection against retaliation and intimidation.
CSOs call on World Bank and Fund to transform Debt Sustainability Framework
NGOs have called on the Bank and Fund to ensure that states’ basic needs, rather than just ability to pay, is incorporated in their review of the Debt Sustainability Framework used to assess low income countries.
Calls for the World Bank to suspend funding to Honduras amid continued human rights concerns
Civil society responds to World Bank president Jim Yong Kim statement on human rights abuses and displacement by calls for the World Bank to suspend funding to Honduras amid continued human rights concerns.
US Congresswoman criticises World Bank investments in water privatisation
A US Congresswoman has called for an end to the World Bank’s investments in water privatisation until a robust evaluation has taken place.
World Bank and AIIB sign joint co-financing agreement
The World Bank has signed a co-financing agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, while former Bank staff join the new institution.
