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Finance

Rights

News

A new SDR allocation: Combatting deepening fragility concerns

The links between high debt burdens, lack of climate finance, austerity and the rise in political instability and fragility, conflict and violence remain largely neglected as IMF shareholders consider calls for a new SDR allocation, as proposed by the Bridgetown Agenda.

8 December 2022

Finance

News

Debt overhang risks another lost decade and could derail progress on poverty reduction and SDGs

Over 60 per cent of low-income countries and more than 25 percent of emerging market economies are in or at risk of debt distress, and are in danger of being unable to fulfil their fiscal obligations.

8 December 2022

Finance

Commentary

Civil society organizations urge end to IMF surcharges to finance climate action instead

More than 300 organisations and individuals call upon the IMF to urgently address one of the most glaring and easily rectifiable contradictions between its stated support for a just transition and its actions by immediately ending its surcharge policy. 

22 November 2022 | Letters

IFI governance

Analysis

G20 press briefing analysis Annual Meetings 2022: Challenges and differences in view, as escalating geopolitical conflicts worsen the economic situation

The Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati acknowledged the G20 faced "many challenges" and "differences in view", with "escalating geopolitical conflicts worsening the economic situation.”

19 October 2022

Environment

News

Pakistan calls for climate reparations, as CSOs push for fresh SDR allocation to ease multiple crises

Non-debt forms of financing essential, as many countries on front line of climate change face ‘polycrisis’ that threatens macroeconomic stability.

4 October 2022

Social services

News

World Bank issues new guidance on PPPs legal frameworks, ignoring long-standing concerns with the model

New World Bank guidance on PPP legal frameworks evidence of institution’s continued reliance on PPPs as key to addressing SDG financing gap despite well-documented failures. Previous World Bank PPP contracts template criticised for incompatibility with human rights norms.

4 October 2022

Finance

News

Highly indebted countries face further cuts to public spending to service debts, as IMF austerity bites

Debt Justice's new report highlights urgent need for international debt workout mechanisms, as countries are forced to prioritise debt payments.

21 July 2022

Social services

News

World Bank’s commitment to private sector-led development casts doubt on effectiveness of new Pandemic Preparedness Fund

The World Bank’s proposal to establish a fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response raises questions about the Bank’s support for private sector healthcare at the expense of public provision.

21 July 2022

Other news

Finance

News

8 December 2022

UN letter of allegation outlines concerns about the impact of IMF surcharge policy on human rights

Civil society urges IMF to reply to UN letter and finally take action to review its surcharge policy.

Finance

News

8 December 2022

Egypt reaches agreement for IMF programme, but proposals for debt relief are still lacking

Egypt’s new EFF program will likely deepen the country’s debt crisis, instead of helping improve its socioeconomic conditions.

Finance

News

8 December 2022

Chad gets debt rescheduling, not relief, and is left dependent on oil revenues

Chad has reached an agreement to restructure its nearly $3 billion of external debt, unlocking IMF financing, but the deal has been criticised for failing to reduce the country’s overall debt burden.

Finance

News

21 July 2022

Restart of Pakistan’s IMF loan agreement collapses with change in government, as soaring costs of IFC-supported LNG add to fiscal pain

Pakistan increases fuel prices in effort to meet IMF conditions, while cost of importing LNG surges.

Finance

News

12 April 2022 | Letters

Civil society calls for public comment period on new IMF guidance note for staff on surveillance

CSOs write an open letter to IMF management calling for increased public scrutiny of Fund's operationalisation of 2021 Comprehensive Surveillance Review. 

Finance

Commentary

7 April 2022 | Letters

More than 150 groups call for the IMF to end its “unfair” and “counterproductive” surcharges

Over 160 civil society organizations from around the world are calling on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to end the “unfair” and “counterproductive” surcharges attached to its lending to the most heavily indebted countries. The open letter was sent to the IMF Executive Board on 7 April ahead of the 2022 IMF and World Bank’s Spring Meetings.

Finance

News

6 April 2022

Calls for Ukraine debt relief grow as IMF and World Bank provide fresh loans amidst crisis

The country – reeling from the Russia invasion – owes a total of $22 billion to the IMF, World Bank and other international financial institutions.

Finance

News

6 April 2022

Civil society campaign urges IMF to stop using punitive surcharges

Over 250 civil society experts urge the IMF to eliminate its punitive surcharges on countries in debt distress as they undermine an equitable economic recovery and exacerbate the global debt crisis.