Accountability

Analysis

A proposal for Ajay: No evolution without remedy

13 December 2023

While World Bank President declares the benefits of a “bigger and better” Bank, the scandal of alleged child sexual abuse and cover up relating to IFC investments in Bridge Academies demonstrates the urgent need for the Bank to establish a robust remedy framework.

Suralaya Power Station, Indonesia. Credit: Melvinas Priananda, Trend Asia.

Environment

Analysis

Coal not yet confined to the “old days” by World Bank Group

Despite the World Bank’s commitment to move away from funding coal, a series of loopholes in its financial intermediary lending remain that will continue to allow finance to support coal power projects.

13 December 2023 | At Issue

Finance

Analysis

Decolonising the global economic architecture: The prerequisite for a just transition

Global South faces severe structural deficiencies that weaken its economic sovereignty and put it at the mercy of a neo-colonial global financial architecture.

13 December 2023
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva participates in the Joint Climate Seminar during the 2023 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund in Marrakech, Morocco on October 11, 2023. Credit: IMF Photo/Kim Haughton

Conditionality

Analysis

World Bank and IMF promoting private finance and fiscal consolidation despite mounting evidence of harmful impacts

Civil society research documents clear harms from privatisation and fiscal consolidation on public services and human rights, as Bank and Fund push for their deepening.

13 December 2023

Finance

Analysis

UN Secretary General's New Agenda for Peace calls for urgent financial architecture and policy reform

UN Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace report identifies growing threats to global peace and stability, and proposes urgent reforms to the unjust economic system. World Bank and IMF resist policy and governance reform.

13 December 2023

Environment

News

Selection of World Bank to host new Loss and Damage Fund draws ire of developing countries and civil society advocates

Developing countries insist on lengthy list of conditions as Bank is named host of new Loss and Damage Fund on interim basis.

13 December 2023

Environment

News

Morocco and IMF Resilience and Sustainability Trust: Balancing debt, privatisation and neocolonial dynamics

Morocco's $1.32 billion Resilience and Sustainability Trust loan comes with 'green conditions' which may facilitate neocolonial resource-grabbing and a European-led rush for ‘green’ hydrogen.

13 December 2023
Matthew Martin presents new debt database to IMF at a Civil Society Policy Forum event during the October 2023 Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. Credit: Iolanda Fresnillo/Eurodad

Finance

News

New data show Global South is in worst debt crisis ever, with another lost decade looming

Civil society alliances call to prioritise sustainability of life over debt, while IMF continues to insist situation is not "systemic", in contrast to what the UN Secretary General has called a "systemic failure".

13 December 2023

Finance

News

The rise of bilateral currency swaps - a threat to the IMF?

Without reforming SDRs to boost reserves and stabilise economies, bilateral swaps will further reinforce the existing asymmetries of the international financial system.

13 December 2023

IFI governance

Commentary

A dizzying ride down the cascade of Bank and Fund double-speak in 2023

From the gentleman's agreement and carbon taxes to B-Ready and the Evolution Roadmap Playbook, the BWIs took us for another ride down the cascade of buzzwords in 2023. Join the BWP gourmets in savouring the word salad.

13 December 2023 | Humour