Bretton Woods
Update 25
More WTO-World Bank-IMF cooperation on trade
The draft Ministerial Declaration for the World Trade Organisation’s Doha Meeting in November calls for the WTO to cooperate more closely with the World Bank and IMF.
New briefing on IMF reform proposals
A new briefing argues for a reformed International Monetary Fund within “a new financial architecture”.
After 11 September: Towards a new multilateralism?
The implications for the World Bank and IMF of the 11 September atrocities and their aftermath are as yet uncertain.
Ownership friendly conditionality
A new IMF paper proposes changes to current methods of applying conditionality.
Anti-globalisation campaigners carry on
After an initial period of shock and confusion in the wake of the 11 September attacks on the US, anti-globalisers have resumed their protests against multilateral trade and financial institutions.
PRSPs “exclude environment”
Friends of the Earth has produced a paper arguing that the Poverty Reduction Strategy process has overlooked environmental concerns.
Fund must improve governance
A report commissioned by the G24 group of Southern governments has called for a revamp of the IMF’s governance structure to reflect the role played by developing countries within the global economy.
Tobin Tax on EU agenda
Proposals for a “Tobin Tax” on international currency speculation are getting further hearings and support.
New report on IFIs and sustainable development
In June a conference was held at Chatham House in London to discuss “Increasing the Contribution of International Financial Institutions to Sustainable Development in the run up to Rio+10”.
Protests escalate in Argentina
A recently formed movement of unemployed Argentinians erected roadblocks to protest at the government’s drastic cut-backs in public spending.
MIGA responds to critics
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has issued a 13-page response to the report Risky Business published by Friends of the Earth and other NGOs this summer.
New report on Global Public Goods
A new study for the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs by the UK-based Institute of Development Studies contains case studies on financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation, climate change abatement, peace and security, HIV/AIDS research and financial stability.
O’Neill supports bankruptcy mechanism
In September US Treasury Secretary, Paul O’Neill, told the Senate Banking Committee that he would favour establishment of an international bankruptcy law as an alternative to IMF bailouts.
New report on Bank’s private sector strategy
The World Bank’s proposed new private sector development strategy is criticised in a response from Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU).
Bank private sector strategy opposed
NGOs have expressed “dismay” at the World Bank’s proposed private sector strategy.
HIPC not delivering debt relief
The Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative is failing to deliver debt relief, reports the Financial Times (9/10/01).
World Bank rethinks higher education
The World Bank sent a delegation to UNESCO’s conference on higher education in Paris in October, led by Maris O’Rouke, Director of the Human Development Network Education Group.
Bank economist investigated for article
World Bank economist William Easterly faces disciplinary proceedings over an article he wrote for the Financial Times.
Financial architecture conference report
The Commonwealth Secretariat has published the discussion papers of the Developing Countries and the Global Financial System conference held at Lancaster House, London in July 2000.
Attac explores launch in UK
A UK branch of the international ATTAC network will be discussed at a meeting on 17 November.
Bank watchdog compiles briefings
The Bank Information Centre has compiled a series of issue briefings on various aspects of World Bank and IMF-related activities.
Gender mainstreaming endorsed
The World Bank has come up with a new Gender Mainstreaming Strategy, endorsed by Bank Executive Directors on 18 September.
Poor report card for IFC
The International Financial Corporation (IFC) has faced criticism of its activities by its internal watchdog, the Operations Evaluation Group (OEG).
IFIs must respect human rights
The World Bank and the IMF are bound by obligations enshrined in international human rights covenants, and must incorporate human rights considerations in the formulation and review of their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs).
Poverty reduction progress assessed
In September around 400 people gathered in Senegal to discuss Poverty Reduction Strategies.
Bretton Woods Project news
Angela Wood is to leave the Bretton Woods Project at the end of December.
Ghana PRS has “potential”
An assessment of Ghana’s Poverty Reduction Strategy process (GPRS) suggests there is much potential for formulating, in a participatory manner, an effective poverty reduction strategy.
New Bank report sets out trade agenda
Reshaping the world’s trade system and reducing barriers to trade could accelerate medium-term growth and reduce poverty around the world, concludes Global Economic Prospects and the Developing Countries 2002: Making Trade Work for the World’s Poor.
Macro policy and poverty reduction reviewed
More research is necessary on the linkages between macroeconomic policy and impacts on the poor, concludes a new paper from the IMF.
Crisis or Opportunity? The International Financial Institutions and civil society in a new political
In the aftermath of the tragic events in the United States on 11 September, civil society groups have been discussing their causes and likely impacts.
Everyone loves a winner
The same man who called the World Bank’s approach to privatisation “bribarization” and publicly renounced the Washington consensus received passionate support from the World Bank’s President when he became a Nobel laureate.
At whose disposal? Institutionalising the market
The latest World Development Report (WDR) places the market at the centre of any institutional framework for development and confirms the Bank’s neoliberal approach to development (October 2001).
Tanzanian citizens marginalised in donor meeting
The Consultative Group (CG) meeting held in Tanzania in September was criticized by Tanzanian civil society organizations (CSOs) for failing adequately to involve citizens.
Malawian PRSP concerns
The Malawian Economic Justice Network released a statement in early September.