Bretton Woods
Update 37
Brazil renews “unnecessary” IMF agreement despite opposition
Brazil and the IMF announced they would renew a financial arrangement at the end of the year, sparking new doubts about the methods and motives of Lula’s government. The news came shortly after Rede Brasil, a network of Brazilian NGOs and social movements, urged the government not to sign.
Meeting: ‘milestone’ or ‘millstone’ for Bank/civil society relations?
Concerns have been raised about a new high-level initiative involving the World Bank and selected civil society groups.
Indigenous Peoples Policy delayed
On 20 October, World Bank Vice President Ian Johnson responded to Extractive Industries Review Eminent Person Emil Salim confirming that the Bank will delay finalisation of the Indigenous Peoples Policy until the first quarter of 2004.
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline
Around the world, when politics and money prevail, the environment is the last issue considered….
The World Bank and civil society
A brief look at the history of World Bank-CSO relations, who’s who in the World Bank for civil society actors and some future steps planned by the Bank.
World Bank trade capacity building: “doing it for them”
A leaked copy of the evaluation of the Integrated Framework for trade-related capacity building for Least Developed Countries should lead observers to question the World Bank’s chief role in the initiative.
BWI reform discussed at UN dialogues
The Financing for Development (FfD) process held its first high-level follow-up to assess progress over three days in New York, 28 – 30 October.
Official report confirms PRSP criticisms
A report produced by the Bank and Fund for their annual meetings reflects on the continuing problems with implementing the lofty goals of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.
Making Poverty and Social Impact Analysis happen
An international meeting has set down plans for development agencies to take forward work on assessing the likely impact of World Bank/IMF-backed reforms.
IFC “doubts” labour fears in Haiti, approves loan
The International Finance Corporation approved a loan of $20 million to the Dominican Republic’s largest Export Processing Zone operator, Grupo M, for a new development on the border with Haiti.
Debt and destruction in Senegal
A new report by Demba Moussa Demb
New book examines key Bank accountability mechanism
A book assesses the impact of the World Bank Inspection Panel which hears grievances of project-affected people.
New Chief Economist “listening”
In October, Frenchman Francois Bourguignon took over as World Bank Chief Economist, replacing Nick Stern who will become a managing director at the UK Treasury.
Adjustment policy delayed
The World Bank has delayed finalisation of its new structural adjustment policy. A subcommittee of…
IMF struggles to reach agreement on transparency
A review of IMF transparency policy was finally concluded in September
Major improvements to BWP website
The Bretton Woods Project website has a new look and offers a host of new functions.
Unions, NGOs react to report on services
Union and NGO commentators believe the World Development Report on services contains an underlying bias towards private provision rather than public reform.
WB mining privatisation
Colombian trade unions have announced that due to World Bank commitments and a new mining code, the government has decided to reconstruct the state mining sector.
WB/IMF at European Social Forum
Activities on IFIs during the European Social Forum included a workshop on the Asian Development Bank and one on the role of Europe at the Bank and the IMF to counter US dominance.
UK MPs question WB governance
On 6 November the International Development Committee of the House of Commons held an evidence session on World Bank/IMF issues
Who wants to be an IMF economist?
Take the IMF’s ‘monetary mania’ quiz to learn the benefits of globalisation.
UK MPs support Bushmen
A motion signed by 42 MPs urges the UK government to encourage Botswana to respect the rights of Botswana’s Bushmen.
IMF role in Bolivian crisis
A report from Bolivian NGO CEDLA contends that plans to sell the gas to the US via Chile were more about ensuring continued support from the Bank and Fund to escape the current fiscal crisis than the long-term health of the economy.
IFC boss makes human rights pledge
Human rights issues will be a part of project and company assessment, says the head of the World Bank arm which provides finance to private companies.
IMF evaluation unit prepares work programme
The IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office is seeking input on its 2004-2005 work programme before 22 December.
Bank and Fund figure out Iraq lending
Recent weeks have further clarified how the World Bank and the IMF are planning to…
Six die in Dominican IMF protests
Six people were killed and over 20 wounded in the Dominican Republic on 11 November during a strike called to protest austerity measures called for by the IMF.