The World Bank has announced its intention to fund the Azerbaijan and Turkey part of the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe, despite concerns over the geopolitical context and fossil fuel dependency.
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Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Finance
Analysis
World Bank rolls out the carpet for “troubled megaprojects” and PPPs
The World Bank and other multilateral development banks continue to push for public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects, despite concerns of debt risks and lack of transparency.
Finance
Analysis
China goes global with development banks
This briefing examines the trajectory of China's evolving leadership in international development finance, including the impact of it's massive increase in development finance for developing countries.
Conditionality
News
IMF rule-change sustains lending to Ukraine
The IMF has changed its long-standing rule on lending to countries in arrears to official creditors, thereby avoiding having to cancel its $17.5 billion loan programme to Ukraine.
Environment
Analysis
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
An impending shortfall in available resources for the Clean Technology Fund continues to concern, leading to cancellation of projects. Questions were raised about development impacts and reliance on geothermal energy in India and Indonesia's revised investment plans, and on debt sustainability in a Caribbean project.
Environment
Analysis
Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR)
The Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) has expanded with ten countries despite a lack of funds. The US questioned the approval of a Bolivia project and resettlement issues were raised on two Cambodia projects.
Environment
Analysis
Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP)
Concerns have been raised about the slow progress with the Scaling up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP). Ghana, Haiti and Nicaragua's investment plans were approved, with questions asked about the loan/grant ratio, promotion of PPPs, and reliance on funding from the Green Climate Fund.
Environment
Analysis
Climate of controversy
Despite efforts to boost its influence within climate finance circles and a call to “decarbonise development”, the World Bank continues to support fossil fuels.
Other news
IFI governance
News
World Bank accountability mechanisms look to improve complainant protection
In response to increasing concern about the safety of human rights and environmental defenders, the World Bank’s accountability mechanisms look to improve complainant protection against retaliation and intimidation.
Accountability
Background
The Syrian migration crisis
Notes from a meeting at the IMF/World Bank CSO Forum at the 2016 Spring meetings discussion the socio-economic impacts of the Syrian crisis, the outgoing flow of migration and the World Bank’s model on how to tackle these issues following its new report.
Infrastructure
News
Investigation on World Bank support for Mongolia mining project deferred
The Inspection Panel has deferred a decision to investigate a complaint regarding environmental, social and economic damage related to a World Bank funded mining project in Mongolia.
Infrastructure
News
Report calls on the World Bank not to invest in Kosovo power plant
A report has cast further doubts on the viability and efficiency of the proposed lignite coal power plant in Kosovo which the World Bank is considering supporting.
Rights
News
Renewed calls for World Bank to suspend funding for Uzbekistan
Civil society organisations have renewed their calls for the World Bank to suspend funding to Uzbekistan, due to continued concerns about forced and child labour in the cotton harvest.
Rights
News
World Bank rejects investigation into Uzbek child and forced labour
The World Bank's Inspection Panel has declined a request to investigate the use of forced and child labour in Uzbekistan.
Finance
News
IMF in Ukraine: $5bn for $15bn haircut?
The IMF has approved a $17.5 billion loan arrangement for Ukraine, however, it has been criticised for relying on debt forgiveness by its creditors.
IFI governance
Background
Matching money and expertise: ensuring conflict sensitivity is top of the agenda for the bank's fragile state financing
Notes of a meeting on matching money and expertise at the World Bank-IMF annual meetings 2014
