As geopolitical tensions rise amidst worsening global economic conditions, civil society demands the democratisation of a world economic order away from the established Global North and elite capitalist hegemony.
WB/IMF roles
IFI governance
Analysis
G24 communiqué analysis – Spring Meetings 2022
G24 finance ministers called for urgent global action to mitigate the effects of rising debt levels in emerging economies, and rising global food, energy and commodity prices.
Finance
Background
What is World Bank Development Policy Financing?
This Inside the Institutions provides an overview of one of the World Bank’s most controversial types of lending, Development Policy Financing, and outlines some key critiques of the instrument.
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings 2020 Preamble: IMF and World Bank frontload austerity and privatisation in Covid-19 recovery, while the world calls for more inclusive multilateralism
As the inability of Bank and Fund to adapt their policies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic becomes more evident, hope turns to the UN system and a radical restructure of the global international financial architecture.
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.
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.
Finance
News
Failure to lend to Venezuela and Iran once again raises questions around IMF’s political neutrality
IMF fails to respond to loan requests from Iran and Venezula as they struggle to respond to increasing Covid-19 cases and deaths.
Finance
Analysis
Bretton Woods at 75
BWP publishes essay series reflecting on the legacy of 75 years of IMF and World Bank policies and power.
WB/IMF roles
Background
What are the main criticisms of the World Bank and the IMF?
The IMF and World Bank continue to be amongst the most relevant and significant powerful norm-setters, convenors, knowledge-holders and influencers of the international development and financial landscape. This Inside the Institutions sets-out some of the most common criticisms of the World Bank and IMF under three broad lenses: democratic governance, human rights and the environment.
Finance
News
Inequality crisis worsens as World Bank and IMF persist with failed policies
Two new CSO reports document inadequate response by states, the IMF and World Bank.
