Bretton Woods Observer
Behind the fumes: the dirty truth behind the World Bank’s commitments on climate change
New report provides evidence that IFC investments in financial intermediaries (FIs) support the construction of coal power plants in contradiction to World Bank policy and IFC statements that FI lending is ring-fenced and does not support coal.
World Bank continues colonial legacy on Assam’s tea plantations
CAO report validates 2013 complaint by Indian NGOs on IFC investment in colonial tea plantation in Assam. The IFC’s action…
GFF falls short on family planning
Investments by the World Bank-hosted Global Financing Facility (GFF) do not reflect the family planning priorities identified by developing countries…
The rise and fall of World Bank funded megaprojects
The World Bank has announced funding for the controversial Southern Gas Corridor, while exiting two other high profile but problematic…
IFC investment in Stora Enso: the need for a responsible IFC tax policy
The International Finance Corporation praises the pulp and paper company Stora Enso as an industry leader in environmental and social standards, but questions about Stora Enso’s Dutch tax arrangement remain unresolved.
IMF managing director found guilty of “negligence”, remains at IMF
French court finds IMF managing director Lagarde guilty of “negligence in dealing with public funds” when she was finance minister in 2008, however no fine or sentence was imposed.
World Bank IDA18 to introduce increased reliance on capital markets
The World Bank’s IDA18 replenishment raised $75 billion, with increased reliance on capital markets and launched new $2.5 billion private sector window through IFC and MIGA.
Will IMF’s response to UN report on women’s economic empowerment change its policies?
UN High Level Panel on women’s economic empowerment publishes flagship report, civil society expressed concerns macroeconomic perspectives are lacking, despite Bank and Fund being on the panel.
Doubts persist over IMF participation in new Greek programme
IMF claims it is does not advocate austerity as Greek finance minister accuses IMF of economising with the truth and pushing harmful and counterproductive reforms.
The World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group
This Inside the Institutions looks at the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group, including how it is structured and the different elements of the evaluation process.
Bankspeak of the year 2016
Every year the Bretton Woods Project highlights some of the most farcical remarks of Fund and Bank staff.
World Bank appoints new General Counsel
World Bank appoints new General Counsel while civil society watches for change in approach on human rights.
Ghana: political costs of structural adjustment
Ghana elected a new president who has pledged to review the country’s IMF programme, which was criticised by civil society for its harsh impacts on the poorest.
IMF reconsiders new loan as Mozambique defaults
Mozambique defaults on its debt after IMF freezes loan. IMF reopens discussions on new loan programme but civil society concerned lessons are not learnt.
IMF approves new Jordan loan
New IMF loan programme to Jordan agreed with gendered conditions, while civil society express concerns about human rights and impacts on the lives of women.
World Bank’s agriculture initiative criticised
Civil society has called on the World Bank to terminate its Enabling the Business of Agriculture initiative.
World Bank arbitration mechanism ICSID rules in favour of El Salvador
ICSID, a World Bank arm for investor-state dispute arbitration, ruled that the $250 million case brought by Pac Rim Cayman against El Salvador in 2009 was without merit.
