It is time for the IMF and World Bank to understand their own responsibility and decolonise their approach.
Rights
Finance
Analysis
The IMF and World Bank-led Covid-19 recovery: ‘Building back better’ or locking in broken policies?
Early evidence suggests IMF programmes are maintaining long-term fiscal consolidation targets, while World Bank further continues Maximizing Finance for Development narrative amidst Covid-19 crisis.
Social services
Background
World Bank Group’s ‘Maximizing Finance for Development’ in times of Covid-19
Notes from the virtual Civil Society Policy Forum at the 2020 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings 5 October session on the World Bank's 'Maximizing Finance for Development' and the Covid-19 response.
Accountability
Background
Tracking the trillions: Emergency funds, corruption and making the Covid-19 recovery work for all
Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum at the 2020 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings 29 September session on corruption and Covid-19 recovery.
Conditionality
Analysis
The IMF’s role in the devastating impacts of Covid-19 – the case of Ecuador
IMF-backed austerity measures starved health sector prior to pandemic, yet Fund continues to prescribe devastating long-term fiscal consolidation.
Rights
Analysis
Fears of lawsuits at World Bank’s tribunal constrain efforts to fight pandemic
Covid-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for ICSID and wider ISDS reforms as cases threaten to undermine state efforts to protect public health.
Rights
News
IFC denies responsibility for community harms following CAO’s Guatemala dam investigation
IFC denies responsibility for harms to the community in dam case despite investigation findings.
Rights
Commentary
World Bank must support rigorous independent monitoring of discrimination against girls in Tanzania
World Bank board approves Tanzania education loan amid pregnant schoolgirls re-admission ban.
Rights
News
Concerns over labour rights resurface in IFC's Covid-19 response
Joint letter to IFC chief executive officer raises questions on worker protections.
Rights
News
Civil society launches framework to assess human rights impact of health privatisation
CSO framework evaluates consequences of private sector activity on right to health.
Featured briefings
30 March 2021
World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings 2021
23 March 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2021
14 December 2020
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.