Bretton Woods Observer
Let them eat cake! IMF the equality champion?
The IMF released papers accepting the case against inequality, however it shows no indication of changing its demands upon borrowing countries.
Disempowered development
World Bank support for a Nepal power line has been criticised for violating indigenous peoples’ rights and the use of…
Global Partnership for Oceans: World Bank fishing in troubled waters?
CSO concerns have been raised over the Bank’s Global Partnership for Oceans initiative, due to the strong emphasis on promoting…
Costly dams criticised
In March the Bank approved funding related to the controversial Inga 3 dam project in the Democratic Republic of Congo,…
World Bank’s climate change crusade: rhetoric or reality?
The World Bank is focussing significant time and resources into promoting itself as an agent for tackling climate change, but is still funds dirty energy through coal and gas projects, most recently in China.
World Bank accused of resettlement “cultural genocide”
A series of high-profile eviction cases in Kenya, Nigeria and Cambodia has exposed the World Bank’s failure to protect the human rights of communities supposed to benefit from its projects, prompting widespread international condemnation.
“Declining performance” at World Bank as strategy moves forward
A leaked draft IEG report reveals declining performance trends at the World Bank, including the IFC’s financial sector lending, while the implementation of the Bank’s strategy continues with the launch of a public consultation on the new country engagement model.
IFC funding to financial intermediaries: unfit for purpose
An IFC investment in ANZ Royal Bank has been criticised after the bank was implicated in a “massive land grab” in Cambodia. Further cases from Guatemala and Honduras reinforce calls for IFC to rethink its investments in financial intermediaries.
IMF technical assistance
Technical assistance is a form of non-financial assistance provided by the IMF with the aim of improving the implementation of economic policies. Technical assistance accounts for about one-quarter of the IMF’s operating budget, of which approximately two-thirds of total technical assistance goes to low income and lower-middle income countries.
IMF facilities review exposes image problem
The IMF facilities review reveals a lack of demand for post 2008 financial crisis lending instruments.
Poland reverses World Bank-promoted pension scheme
Poland has taken public control of a World-Bank-promoted private-asset-managed pension scheme which was causing huge losses, but the Bank continues to deny blame.
World Bank admits gender equality not just about growth
World Bank’s new companion report to its 2012 World Development Report reveals a shift in thinking, acknowledging that for gender equality, the type of eonomic growth is hugely relevant
World Bank blamed over 1965 Indonesia massacres
Images from an Oscar-nominated documentary exploring the history of Indonesia’s Suharto government and the killing of an estimated 1 million Indonesians during the 1960s has been screened on the walls of the World Bank to pressure it to acknowledge its support for Suharto.
Troika in Cyprus: privatisation outrage
The Cyprus government nearly fell in February over IMF and European demands for the privatisation of three public utilities.
IMF embroiled in Ukraine crisis
Ukraine’s interim government concluded negotiations in late March for an IMF loan, likely to carry wide-ranging conditionality.
Revolving doors: Portugal ex-minister appointed at the IMF
Former Portuguese finance minister, dubbed “fourth member of the Troika” appointed to head IMF fiscal affairs department.
