IDA—International Development AssociationCreated in 1960 the IDA offers assistance to the poorest countries, providing them with interest-free loans (primarily aimed at basic social services provision and increasingly direct budget support), technical assistance and policy advice. The IDA is funded by wealthier nations, lending only to those countries that have a per capita income of less than $1,025 and lack the financial ability to borrow from the IBRD. At present, 81 countries are eligible to borrow from IDA. IDA lending commitments totalled $9.5 billion in fiscal year 2006 (which ended June 2006), with combined IBRD-IDA lending totalling $22.3 billion. Donors convene every three years to replenish IDA funds for the next three years accounting for more than half its funds, while the rest comes from previous repayments and IBRD income. read more... BriefingsThe World Bank and transportGiven that the World Bank's primary activity in its first decades of operation was financing infrastructure projects, the fact that the transport sector is the single largest sector for Bank lending should come as no surprise. However with the prevalence of concerns about underinvestment in social sectors, transport lending was on the decline in the late 90s and early part of this century. Now the pendulum is swinging back and transport sector lending is on the rise in both the public and private sector arms of the Bank. read article... The World Bank and healthIn the last five years the global system for channelling development finance to the health sector has changed radically, causing the Bank to seriously re-examine its role in health finance. This article covers the who, what, where and how much of the World Bank's work with in the health sector. read article... Reform of World Bank governance structuresThis analytical note discusses potential governance reforms in the World Bank's governance structures, with an understanding that some reforms become more or less imperative depending on the direction of the discussions around the long-term strategic direction of the Bank. read article... Items 1 to 10 of 82The UK's role in the WB and IMF Department for International Development and HM TreasuryThis page outlines the structure of the UK government's interaction with the World Bank and the IMF. It provides contact information for the appropriate staff at the Department for International Development and HM Treasury who deal with the Bretton Woods institutions read article... World Bank-IMF annual meetings 2008At this year's annual meetings, the focus will of course be on the financial crisis gripping the rich countries of the world. Questions remain as to whether important issues around the World Banks role in climate change and its even governance structure will get the attention they deserve. read article... European NGO statement on Bank governance reform Please sign on!European governments, who hold eight chairs and have over 30% of the vote at the Bank, have a special responsibility to push for reform. We, the undersigned organisations, call upon our European governments to back a progressive proposal for transformation of the World Bank that includes the key reforms below. read article... UK NGO meeting with the Secretary of State for International Development, on the World Bank Tuesday, 30 September 2008, DFID, 1 Palace StreetSummary of meeting: the main agenda items were (1) World Bank governance; and (2) Climate change. read article... Who should control the Bank? Rich countries keep their thumbs on the scales
Proposed reforms to the way the World Bank is governed tinker at the edges, promising only marginal improvements for developing countries; critics are stepping up the pressure for a fundamental rethink. The World Bank board will discuss a package of reforms to the way the Bank is governed at its annual meetings in October, hoping to agree a concrete set of actions by next spring. Despite calls from developing countries, civil society and others for root and branch change to address the Bank's gaping deficits in democracy, legitimacy and accountability, the proposals are uninspiring. read article... Bank failing on environment: IEG finds lack of coherenceIn July the World Bank's internal watchdog, the independent evaluation group (IEG), released an assessment of the Bank's record on environment between1990-2007. Delicate wording aside, the evaluation finds that the Bank has performed poorly when it comes to a coherent integration of environmental goals into its country strategies and investment portfolios. read article... The World Bank and transportGiven that the World Bank's primary activity in its first decades of operation was financing infrastructure projects, the fact that the transport sector is the single largest sector for Bank lending should come as no surprise. However with the prevalence of concerns about underinvestment in social sectors, transport lending was on the decline in the late 90s and early part of this century. Now the pendulum is swinging back and transport sector lending is on the rise in both the public and private sector arms of the Bank. read article... World Bank-IMF spring meetings 2008At this year's spring meetings, the World Bank faced increasing opposition to its plans to tackle climate change, while the IMF was forced to admit that the lack of democracy in its governance is probably why it missed the boat on the credit crisis. read article... Dialogue with NGOs and Lars Thunell, Executive Vice President and CEO, IFCDialogue with NGOs and Lars Thunell, Executive Vice President and CEO, IFC read article... Briefing on the new IFC-IDA Secretariat CSO policy dialogue from the spring meetings 2008Notes from a briefing by World Bank staff on the new IFC-IDA joint secretariat read article... |
Articles: 2381 Related itemsEvents
ResourcesIDA-15 Replenishment website 10 December Environmental sustainability: evaluation of Bank Group support 1 August World Bank transport website 22 May Final IDA 15 report 28 February Norway withholds World Bank funding 14 December Will IDA 15 make a difference? 30 November The UK and the World Bank 2006/7 22 November Meeting the challenges of global development 10 October IFIwatch.tv 5 October Health, nutrition and population unit of the World Bank 1 May Newswire |
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