Bretton Woods
Update 35
Ties that bind: possible shifts on conditionality?
The extent to which efforts to review conditionality represent a desire for better implementation rather than a fundamental re-examination of the impact of policy conditions remains unclear.
Lula and Kirchner want IMF to relax its grip
A new initiative to rewrite the rules of engagement with the IMF could mark the biggest change in creditor-debtor relations in a generation.
Gender “poorly rooted”
Gender has been incorporated within the framework of standard macroeconomic and sector policies.
Haitian victory
Thirty-four union members at a free-trade zone plant financed by the IFC – laid off for over six weeks – were reinstated on 14 April.
New debt sustainability framework: too little, too subjective
Civil society groups welcome the intention but not the detail of a new IMF, World Bank framework for assessing countries’ debts and their potential to take on new lending.
African Executive Directors’ support fund
The African Economic Research Consortium has been awarded the contract by the sub-saharan African Executive Directors at the Bank and Fund to act as the commissioning agent for the Analytical Trust Fund.
US lawmakers scrutinise World Bank record on corruption
At hearings in the US Senate commentators criticised World Bank anti-corruption activities and proposed new approaches.
Peoples’ movement tackles IFI anniversary
A special publication by the National Alliance of Peoples’ Movements India features a range of critical articles on international financial institutions.
G8 governments review IFI mandates
The world’s most powerful governments are assessing the roles of international financial insitutions.
Disclosure in private sector financing
The World Bank’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation, is conducting a review of its 1998 Policy on Disclosure of Information.
Concerns about Brazil soya project
Brazilian NGOs challenge proposed World Bank Group support for soya farming in the Amazon region.
Middle-income strategy threatens safeguards
A coalition of NGOs led by International Rivers Network has raised alarm bells that a proposed World Bank middle income country strategy will seriously weaken policies meant to protect vulnerable groups and the environment.
Parliamentarians’ trade working group
On 20 April, the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank launched a working group on international trade.
Wolfensohn discusses human rights, environment at Greenpeace lecture
The World Bank’s president made interesting statements on human rights and climate change. But he was not specific and he asserted brashly that his institution has not harmed indigenous people since he has been in charge.
Bank trade evaluation: assume the position
The World Bank Operations Evaluation Department’s plan for an evaluation of Bank assistance on trade shies away from many of the key issues according to ChristianAid.
IMF Trade Integration Mechanism: Sweetening a sour deal
With much fanfare, the Board of the IMF approved the Trade Integration Mechanism in April, a new insurance policy to entice developing countries back to the multilateral trade table.
Symbolic vote does nothing to change Fund leadership stitch-up
Unsurprisingly, former Spanish Finance Minister Rodrigo Rato was confirmed as Managing Director of the IMF in a mock voting procedure on 4 May. Disappointment was widespread that the Fund had failed to end the stitch-up that allows Europe to nominate the Fund’s head.
The power of the vote
Chandrababu Naidu, ex- chief minister lost the vote in the recent elections.
Global parliamentarians campaign launched
The ineffective involvement of legislatures in country dealings with IFIs is broadly acknowledged.
Baku Ceyhan human rights activist arrested
Activist Ferhat Kaya was arrested by the Turkish authorities in early May following his work…
New IMF poverty assessment unit
The IMF has announced the creation of a unit to work on producing Poverty and Social Impact Analysis.
New Bank adjustment policy a step backwards
The Bank has released a revised draft of its controversial 1992 structural adjustment policy. Comments…
IFI campaigners win environment prizes
This year’s Goldman Environmental Prize honoured two activists who have been tackling World Bank projects and policies.
BWP seeks Policy and Networking Officer
The Project has a vacancy for a Policy and Networking Officer.
New head for Bretton Woods Project
Jeff Powell has been selected from a strong field of candidates to be the new Bretton Woods Project Coordinator.