Bretton Woods Observer
World Bank and IMF’s response to global food crisis misses mark, as financial speculation drives food prices to historic highs
Action plan launched by Bretton Woods Institutions and other IFIs ignores role of corporatisation of agriculture in contributing to current crisis.
Ending “absolute immunity” for the International Finance Corporation: The legacy of Jam v. IFC
EarthRights International examines how the Jam v. IFC case has helped to shift the landscape of accountability for international financial…
A new Bretton Woods for whom? Civil society calls for democratisation of global governance
As geopolitical tensions rise amidst worsening global economic conditions, civil society demands the democratisation of a world economic order away…
The IMF is changing and needs an independent ombudsman
The Fund’s expansion of its work into the macro-stability challenges posed by pandemics, climate change, gender discrimination and inequality increases…
Why the IFC can’t afford to squander this opportunity to get remedy right
The IFC is the only DFI that has committed to creating a remedy framework. The basic requirements of a rights-based remedy framework are already known.
Resilience and Sustainability Trust: Will “qualifying reforms” bring long-overdue institutional shift?
Problematic track record on climate and fossil fuel finance means IMF-World Bank collaboration on the Resilience and Sustainability Trust risks repetition of failed policies.
Highly indebted countries face further cuts to public spending to service debts, as IMF austerity bites
Debt Justice’s new report highlights urgent need for international debt workout mechanisms, as countries are forced to prioritise debt payments.
World Bank’s commitment to private sector-led development casts doubt on effectiveness of new Pandemic Preparedness Fund
The World Bank’s proposal to establish a fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response raises questions about the Bank’s support for private sector healthcare at the expense of public provision.
World Bank’s new gender strategy: Concerns about approach to social protection and gender-blind macroeconomic reforms remain
With the World Bank’s current gender strategy set to expire next year, care and social protection emerge as a possible focus, but CSOs remain skeptical that Bank’s private sector-led approach will deliver on women’s rights.
The human face of the World Bank’s private sector bias: The privatisation of Kenya’s healthcare
A November 2021 report by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University highlights the human rights consequences of the World Bank’s Maximising Finance for Development approach.
World Bank’s IFC ends funding for fee-paying primary and secondary schools
Independent Evaluation Group report highlighted private sector education provision can exacerbate inequality and undermine the public sector school system.
Restart of Pakistan’s IMF loan agreement collapses with change in government, as soaring costs of IFC-supported LNG add to fiscal pain
Pakistan increases fuel prices in effort to meet IMF conditions, while cost of importing LNG surges.
IFC approves loan to industrial agriculture producer in Brazil despite pleas for protection of sensitive grassland biome
World Bank’s IFC $200 loan for large-scale agricultural production in Brazil disregards serious human rights and environmental concerns, despite calls by 200 civil society organisations globally
Mozambique IMF loan moves forward amid serious sustainability and transparency concerns
Fresh $456m IMF loan to Mozambique risks adding to insecurity and debt crisis as LNG projects have fuelled conflict and likely to become stranded assets.
