Bretton Woods
Update 24
Bank private sector arm under fire from NGOs, Congress
It has been a bad summer for the World Bank Group arm which insures private investments.
Argentina to be sacrificed on free-market altar?
In August, Argentinian teachers, doctors and public workers went on strike and unemployed workers and students blocked roads to protest against rising unemployment and cuts in pensions and salaries.
Plans for Bank, Fund contested
The G8’s mandate has been seriously questioned in recent months, but this has not stopped G8 ministers setting new directions for the World Bank and IMF.
World Bank lending to poorest countries examined
As governments are again being asked to contribute to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) facility, NGOs and others are raising questions about the role and effectiveness of the Bank’s lending through IDA to the poorest countries.
Will grants kill IDA?
Heated debate is brewing between the US government which proposes that the Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) should provide up to 50 per cent of its resources as grants and some European governments (supported by the Bank) who argue that to do so would deplete IDA’s resources.
Disappointing Bank disclosure policy
A new World Bank information disclosure policy fails to respond to calls for greater transparency.
Nigerian groups demand moratorium
In August, about 100 civil society organisations, most based in the Niger Delta, halted a consultation with Peter Woicke, Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Quotes on the Gateway
A selection of comments from different actors on the Development Gateway.
New Executive Directors
In August Carole Brookins replaced Jan Piercy as US Executive Director (ED) at the World Bank.
Workers protest Burkina privatisation plans
More than 1,000 workers from 13 public companies took to the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in August chanting slogans such as “Down with wildcat liberalisation!” and “Down with Bretton Woods injunctions!”.
50 Years Is Enough Network cancels protests
The following message was circulated electronically by the 50 Years Is Enough network on Sunday, September 16, 2001.
Tanzanian user-fees concern
In 2000 the US Congress passed a law requiring the government to oppose loans that includes user fees for basic health or education services.
MIGA Attacked by NGOs and Congress
An NGO report has called for the World Bank Group arm which insures private investments to be shut down.
Kyrgztani environmentalists concerned about Bank-backed incinerators
NGOs in Kyrgyzstan have raised serious concerns about plans for an urban waste incinerator to be built by Italian company ITI.
Gateway independence: only skin deep?
New documents and anti-corruption claim cast doubts on new foundation.
Kyrgyzstanis oppose incinerator
NGOs in Kyrgyzstan have raised serious concerns about plans for an urban waste incinerator to be built by Italian company ITI.
IFI criticism intensifies ahead of meetings
After Genoa, the next stop for the global protest caravan is the Bank and Fund annual meetings in Washington DC.
Conditionality review exposes divergent opinions
Consultations held in Berlin, Tokyo and London for the IMF’s conditionality review have revealed significant differences in opinions.
Bank plans new private sector approach
The World Bank has produced a draft Private Sector Development Strategy.
Bank assesses globalisation facts and fears
“Some anxieties are well-founded,” agrees a major new World Bank report that outlines evidence and an agenda for action on globalisation*.
Bank unveils new environment strategy
Many NGOs and officials welcomed the new World Bank environmental strategy, adopted this July.
Response UK Treasury – CAL
Road Maps For Capital Account Liberalisation – Response UK Treasury
UN report proposes new global institutions
A major policy report has been produced with proposals for the Financing for Development summit to be held next March 2002 in Monterrey, Mexico.
Basic services: hands off!
French organisations have launched a new campaign for the reform of the international financial institutions (IFIs) and equal access to basic services.
Road map letter from Bretton Woods Project
Road Maps For Capital Account Liberalisation
Positive signals on IMF evaluation
Transparency will be an important element of the IMF’s Evaluation Office (EVO), according to the new director, Montek Ahluwalia.
World Bank launches internet development gateway
“We will solve all your disagreements if you join the development gateway…”
Bank under fire on oil, gas and mining
Ecuadorean NGO DECOIN has expressed outrage at the findings of a report on a World Bank funded mining project in Ecuador.
Gateway: World Bank response
The World Bank’s Gateway team asked for space to reply to recent articles in the Bretton Woods Update, and our briefings.
Bank rejects adjustment findings
Initial findings of a review of adjustment policies by government, WB and civil society were presented to Bank management in Washington DC in July.
Georgia National Park concern
NGOs have written to the World Bank complaining about the contradictions between its support for oil pipelines, harbours, refineries and oil terminals which may threaten a national park protected under a previous Bank loan.
Uruguayans file anti-corruption claim on the Gateway
Two prominent Uruguayans today filed a claim alleging “several irregularities” in the World Bank’s Development Gateway internet initiative.
New official review of PRSPs
The World Bank and the IMF are inviting public participation in reviews of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) process.
Coal India problems inspected
The World Bank’s Inspection Panel has visited India in response to a claim filed against the Bank’s Coal India loans.
Gateway Foundation document extracts
This page contains extracts from 2 recent documents on the Development Gateway.
President abused power in IMF deal
In August, Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunga was impeached on charges of violating the constitution.
Riots erupt over PNG Privatisation Plans
Police shot student protesters in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in late June.
Knowledge is power. The World Bank’s Development Gateway is a way of centralising and entrench
Knowledge is power. The World Bank’s Development Gateway is a way of centralising and entrenching their power.