Bretton Woods Observer
G20 debt proposal continues to favour creditors
New common framework for debt relief announced at G20 Leaders’ Summit maintains prominent role of IMF and fails to include World Bank debt relief.
Gambling with our lives: Global emergencies expose consequences of decades of IMF and World Bank policies
Market-led policy approaches increasingly used to deal with both climate and health emergencies are failing to protect those most vulnerable.
Costa Rica resoundingly rejects IMF’s ‘austericidal’ recipe
Alternative progressive solutions reached by democratic and inclusive multi-sectoral dialogue.
World Bank reparations demanded for murder of frontline South African anti-coal activist
Community demands reparations from World Bank for murder of South African environmental activist Fikile Ntshangase for opposing the Tendele coal…
Biden, the Bank and IMF: A break with ‘America first’ or its continued pursuit through multilateral means?
The world awaits to see whether Trump’s defeat will result in the end of the ‘America First’ approach and a democratisation of the IMF and World Bank and the multilateral system.
IMF’s continued VAT push inconsistent with rhetoric on progressive taxes
As the IMF celebrates the rise of VAT, women and those least able to pay are left behind in worsening inequality crisis.
Unions raise alarm over alleged retaliatory firing at IFC-financed Guinea hotel
IFC accused of violation of performance standards after alleged retaliatory action against workers.
First gathering of world’s public development banks fails to deliver concrete commitments
World Bank and other MDBs fail to sign on to general declaration as multilateral leadership on solutions to climate, debt and inequality crises remains inadequate.
Eni files ICSID arbitration request linked to controversial Nigeria oil deal
Case continues troubling trend of increased ISDS claims from fossil fuel industry.
World Bank cancels Bisri dam project in Lebanon after years of community resistance
Environmental groups and activists claim victory after years of campaigning.
Delays in Inspection Panel eligibility decision in Nepal risk “irreversible damage”
Panel yet to rule on case filed in April despite receiving consultant’s report.
IFC’s first Green Equity Approach client backs Indonesian coal plant expansion
CSOs call for IFC to close remaining loopholes in Green Equity Approach, after equity client chosen to pilot the initiative makes investment in coal plant expansion in Indonesia.
New CAO vice president urged to fight for CAO independence
Civil society call on newly appointed CAO vice president to safeguard CAO’s independence and fight for full implementation of recent external review of IFC and MIGA accountability framework.
Pakistan resists IMF measures that could “push more people into poverty”
IMF programme would result in increased electricity prices and regressive consumer tax hikes amid rising cost of living.
World Bank and IMF delay Morocco’s hosting of Annual Meetings until October 2022
Marrakesh was due to host 2021 meetings prior to announcement.
Who can borrow from the World Bank?
The different arms of the World Bank Group lend money to developing countries and private enterprises.
