Bretton Woods Observer
Spring 2025
Civil society calls for FfD4 to revive ‘spirit of Monterrey’ and reassert UN’s role in global economic governance
The role of Bretton Woods Institutions remains a key point of contention, amidst their stark governance deficits.
New report documents abuses at IFC-funded hospitals, further exposing consequences of the “billions to trillions” approach
Bloomberg investigation adds further evidence of negative consequences for people and governments of IFC’s for-profit healthcare model.
Breaking free from the aid trap: time for Africa to halt international financial institutions’ austerity policies
The ‘aid trap’ continues in light of significant ODA cuts amidst political change in donor countries, as the BWIs continue…
Civil society defends feminist demands amidst threats to women’s rights and fresh questions over the role of the BWIs
It is a dangerous time for gender as a development priority. As Donald Trump entered…
Private lenders’ resistance to Ethiopia’s debt relief highlights urgent need for debt architecture reform
Ethiopia becomes the latest victim of the dysfunctional Common Framework, as private lenders continue to hold out on its debt restructuring with significant human rights, social and economic consequences.
UN Human Rights Council debt roundtable concludes debt crisis is a human rights crisis
UN Human Rights Council calls for states to use FfD4 to agree reforms that enable states to deliver on their human rights obligations.
The IMF’s 2025 Conditionality Review: a test of reform or repeat?
Despite past acknowledgments of flawed policies, austerity-driven programmes continue to deepen economic hardship, entrench inequality, and prioritise creditors over sustainable development.
New Independent Evaluation Office findings expose political pressures and over-optimism in IMF’s Exceptional Access Policy
Evaluation finds Exceptional Access Policy has been applied inconsistently, influenced by political pressures, and used as a substitute for debt restructuring while failing to attract private capital.
Civil society and communities achieve victory as World Bank cancels tourism project in Tanzania
World Bank confirms cancellation of controversial tourism project in Tanzania, after over 2 years of civil society campaigning.
Communities demand justice as IFC fails to address coal financing fallout
IFC faces backlash for failing to address social and environmental harms from its financing of coal plants in the Philippines, despite proven health and environmental violations.
IFC ends investment in waste-to-energy incineration projects in Gujarat, India, following civil society campaign
While IFC’s withdrawal is welcome, civil society urges the Bank to stop funding WTE projects and move towards zero-waste solutions instead.
FfD4 is a feminist issue
Civil society Financing for Development (FfD) Mechanism calls for FfD4 conference to deliver meaningful reform and a true path towards democratic multilateralism.
