Analysis, news, and about the events inside and around the World Bank/IMF annual meetings 2012. This page is being updated regularly.
Social services
Infrastructure
Background
Water privatisation management issues
This session featured a discussion on the implications of current water policy reforms that have increasingly privatised and commodified water.
Environment
News
Unearthing the IFC's links to mining abuses
As mining projects in South Africa and Peru face violent opposition, critics are questioning the stakes held by the International Finance Corporation (IFC, the World Bank's private sector arm) in the corporations at the centre of the controversies. New IFC funding for mining projects in Mongolia and Guinea is also causing alarm, leading to a call for a return to the recommendations of the 2005 Extractive Industries Review.
Infrastructure
Commentary
World Bank making poverty worse in Kosovo
Before joining civil society organisations (CSOs), I worked for Kosovo's state-owned power company for many years. During my time there I learned how the coal industry works and how much it negatively affects every segment of our lives. Already two years ago, Kosovan CSOs warned the World Bank that things would not turn out well for Kosovo should the Bank continue supporting and pushing for coal development projects in the country.
Social services
News
IFC to fund Nigerian shopping malls to improve food security
The Bank's private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), announced in June that it will invest $124 million in Nigerian property development group, Persianas to construct at least four shopping malls, a "high growth" sector in Nigeria.
Accountability
News
World Bank safeguards under scrutiny
With the World Bank's safeguards review due to be launched, indigenous groups and civil society organisations (CSOs) called for it to be rigorous and extensive. Meanwhile, the environmental and social track record of the Bank and its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has come under scrutiny in India, Colombia and Brazil.
Land
Background
Notes of meeting between UK Executive Director to World Bank Susanna Moorehead and UK civil society
Civil society organisations met UK Executive Director to the World Bank Susanna Moorehead and staff from the Department for International Development to discuss IDA, education finance, infrastructure finance, fragile states, agriculture and land, Doing Business rankings, Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia.
Accountability
News
New claims of rights abuses in World Bank-funded 'land grabs'
As the World Bank held its Annual Conference on Land and Poverty in April, campaigners accused it once again of facilitating and legitimising 'land grabs' that harm local communities.
Accountability
News
World Bank fails to take action on Eskom risks
The World Bank has declined to take immediate action over identified issues on water availability, air quality and community services related to Eskom for the Medupi coal-fired power plant in South Africa.
Accountability
News
World Bank's 'green growth' approach denounced
At the United Nations Rio+20 conference on sustainable development held in Brazil in late June, the World Bank promoted its 'green growth' approach despite concerns from civil society groups.
