Bretton Woods
Update 27
Engineers, campaigners condemn Bank for Dams Commission follow-up
The World Bank was praised for helping establish the World Commission on Dams, a body which included fierce critics and ardent proponents of dams. Now, however, it is under fire from both sides for failing to implement the Commission’s suggested new approaches to water and energy planning. The Bank’s new draft water strategy “seriously misrepresents”…
Ghanaians contest Bank-backed water privatisation
A broad coalition of organisations is challenging the plan to privatise Ghana’s water system. They complain that the World Bank and IMF-promoted scheme will not extend services to poorer people or ensure fair pricing. The deal – which the IMF has just made part of its new conditions for Ghana – reflects the biases of…
Trade policy training challenged, but donors commit more funds
The heads of six major international institutions met to discuss their roles in trade policy formulation. They agreed that the World Bank should play a “lead role”, ensuring that trade policy reform is a major part of PRSPs. NGOs released a statement of concern about official approaches to trade policy capacity building, but donors allocated…
Parliamentarians gear up to increase scrutiny of World Bank
A number of efforts are moving forward to make it easier for elected representatives to monitor the World Bank. They include the World Bank Parliamentary Network and initiatives stemming from the World Social Forum and the French parliament. Closer collaboration with NGO Bank-watchers will help make them a success.
NGOs continue challenge to Bank on oil, gas and mining
NGOs have achieved some changes to the World Bank’s Extractive Industries Review but feel that problems remain. Their determination to change the Bank’s approach to oil, gas and mining is shown by a new campaign launched in France.
Wolfensohn appoints poverty results champion under pressure from US
The World Bank has appointed a new Vice President for “results”. He commented, “we need to move from largely measuring inputs to better focusing on outputs and outcomes”. This is a response to calls from the US administration which has said it will make future contributions to the Bank conditional on measuring precise results.
Making Services Work for Poor People
The World Bank’s World Development Report for 2003/4 will cover the sensitive issues of service delivery.
IFC reviews social and environmental policies
The policies that govern the International Finance Corporation’s approach to core social and environmental issues are currently under review.
No investigation into Peru goldmine corruption
The World Bank has recently announced that it will not be taking action following allegations of corruption levelled at corporate clients in Peru and Lesotho. The Peru goldmine and Lesotho dam cases lead some Bank-watchers to question the Bank’s high-profile commitment to rooting out corruption.
Limitations of Asian PRSPs revealed
Asian NGOs recently commented on the problems they face with PRSP processes in their region. A Focus on the Global South study questions achievements in Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam while Bangladeshi organisations have mounted a challenge to the process in their country. See also:
Bujagali dam affected by Enron-fallout
U.S. power company AES Corp. has been forced to delay building the $550 million Bujagali dam, Uganda, because of a financing shortfall.
Empowerment agenda “a special challenge”
Two new World Bank studies express doubts about the extent of its work on participation and empowerment. A study of participation in PRSPs finds that the range of civil society groups and of government ministries is unsatisfactory. In another study the Bank agrees that its new “empowerment” agenda is a special challenge.
WB study questions breadth and impact of PRSP participation
Two new World Bank studies express doubts about the extent of its work on participation and empowerment. A study of participation in PRSPs finds that the range of civil society groups and of government ministries is unsatisfactory. In another study the Bank agrees that its new “empowerment” agenda is a special challenge.
World Bank to back Iran dam
The World Bank plans to back a dam in Mazandaran province, Iran.
IMF evaluator clarifies position
Following the article in Bretton Woods Update 26 on the announcement by the IMF Evaluation Office of its work programme, its Director sent a letter clarifying his position.
New report on Bolivian PRSP
Christian Aid, in collaboration with a number of Bolivian civil society groups, has produced a new report examining the quality of participation in the Bolivian Poverty Reduction Strategy process.
Bank Board schedule announced
The World Bank has decided to post its schedule of what will be discussed at Board meetings.
Letter on PRSP process complaints
A number of civil society organisations involved in the official review of the Poverty Reduction Strategy process, wrote a joint letter to the IMF and the Bank in late January.
Sustainability requires international institutional reforms
As the World Bank prepares a number of documents for the next big summit – on Sustainable Development – independent researchers have set out an agenda for international institutional reforms.
IMF “fun” with Argentina
The Nigerian government has cancelled its IMF programme. IMF spokesperson tests Argentinians’ sense of humour by agreeing that mistakes may be made again in the future. He explained: “that is economics. And that is why it is so much fun”.
Nigeria sends IMF away
The Nigerian government has cancelled its IMF programme. IMF spokesperson tests Argentinians’ sense of humour by agreeing that mistakes may be made again in the future. He explained: “that is economics. And that is why it is so much fun”.
Citizens’ Guide to World Commission on Dams
International Rivers Network has published a new guide to help people use the World Commission on Dams report to stop destructive development projects and promote better alternatives.
Development finance summit a fiasco, say campaigners
The International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey has yielded little new. Civil society groups organised their own parallel forum to challenge the “Monterrey Consensus”. The new aid money pledged by the US government at the conference has received a mixed welcome.
New Oxfam guide to PRSPs
Oxfam International has published a guide for groups wanting to do work around Poverty Reduction Strategy processes in their countries.
Assessment of the FfD Outcome Paper and Proposed Next Steps
In the course of the last six months, the European NGO coordination, actively comprised of over 40 European NGOs in 11 countries including 8 national networks, has made continuous steps to focus and revise NGO demands regarding the FfD process towards a realistic, achievable and meaningful political outcome.
Trade policy capacity-building statement
Joint Civil Society Statement Originally Prepared For Donor Pledging Meeting
New staff at Bretton Woods Project
Fabien Lefrancois and Jeff Powell have recently joined the Bretton Woods Project.
Company seeks compensation after Bolivians force re-nationalisation
US multinational Bechtel is seeking compensation from the Bolivian government after protests forced the cancellation of its contract to provide water in Cochabamba. The case has been accepted by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, a little-known arm of the World Bank Group. Campaigners are preparing to challenge the process.
World Bank and IMF roles debated at development finance summit
The Fourth Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meeting for the UN international Financing for Development (FfD) conference (to be held in March in Monterrey, Mexico) has just concluded in New York, with the endorsement of the so-called “Monterrey Consensus” document by all participants. This document “Confronting the Challenges of Financing for Development: A Global Response”, covers the…
Bank/Fund Spring meetings schedule
The World Bank/IMF Spring meetings are taking place in Washington DC on 20-21 April.
Taken for granted? US Proposals to Reform the World Bank’s IDA Examined
US debt campaigners are siding with the Bush administration against European leaders and other NGOs over a key source of finance for the world’s 79 poorest countries. Discussions on the pros and cons of providing grants instead of loans through IDA appear deadlocked (March 2002).
Parliamentary Committee enquiry on Financing for Development
The International Development Committee has agreed to conduct a short inquiry to examine selected issues relating to the Financing for Development Summit The Committee will consider the policies and practices of the Department for International Development, and the UK Government as a whole, with regard to the provision of finance for development.
Bank downplays Lesotho dam corruption
The World Bank has recently announced that it will not be taking action following allegations of corruption levelled at corporate clients in Peru and Lesotho. The Peru goldmine and Lesotho dam cases lead some Bank-watchers to question the Bank’s high-profile commitment to rooting out corruption.
Letter from head of IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office
Response to IMF Evaluation Office Announces Programme, article in Bretton Woods Update 26.
World Bank + IMF = global deforestation
The World Bank is considering lifting its ban on direct financing of logging in primary moist tropical forests, encapsulated in its 1991 Forest Policy.
Latest developments: World Bank Extractive Industries Review
NGOs’ concerns have been taken into consideration by the Eminent Person, Dr.