Accountability at the World Bank | Bank Information Center: Monitoring the projects and policies of the World Bank, IMF and other international financial institutions


bicusa.org/WBaccountability Home Issues AccountabilityAccountability at the World Bank Accountability at the World Bank Overview Background Concerns Updates Resources Contacts RSS Update \| 17 July 2008 U.S. Congress launches World Bank Caucus The World Bank Caucus aims to foster dialogue between the World Bank and members of the U.S. Congress on development, poverty and trade issues. Read more Update \| 20 June 2008 BIC's MENA program organizes third workshop in Egypt The workshop introduced BIC's work to Egyptian media and civil society organizations, and focused on the activities of the international financial institutions in the country. Read more Update \| 6 May 2008 World Bank appoints new anti-corruption head Three and a half months after the resignation of Suzanne Rich-Folsom, the controversial head of the World Bank's Department of Institutional Integrity (INT), the Bank has appointed Leonard McCarthy as the new head of its internal anti-corruption unit. Read more Update \| 22 February 2008 BIC teams with local partners to train civil society in Indonesia Trainings aim to inform Indonesian civil society about the basics of the multilateral development banks and hold the institutions accountable. Read more Update \| 25 January 2008 World Bank to implement Volcker panel recommendations Following the resignation of Suzanne Rich-Folsom, the previous head of the World Bank's anti-corruption unit and the embarrassing revelations of extensive fraud in several of its health projects in India, the World Bank announced on January 23, 2008 that it would implement all the recommendations of the Volcker Panel Review. Read more Update \| 17 January 2008 World Bank, EIB to release funds for Bujagali Dam as investigations into safeguard violations continue Construction of the dam proceeds despite an ongoing investigation into claims presented by civil society groups that the project violates environmental and social standards of both the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Read more Update \| 16 January 2008 Controversial head of the World Bank's anti-corruption unit resigns Resignation comes after internal review reveals Bank's ineffectiveness in addressing corruption in health projects in India. Read more Update \| 18 December 2007 West Africa Gas Pipeline to start operations by year’s end World Bank's Inspection Panel expected to submit findings of its investigation into claims made by local communities that the project violated the Bank's environmental and social policies. Read more Update \| 17 December 2007 Ecuador rejects ICSID arbitration over extractive industry disputes Ecuador's actions are part of a wider dissatisfaction among some Central and South American countries with international investment law and particularly its dispute settlement regime. Read more Update \| 4 December 2007 BIC hosts working session on international financial institutions in Indonesia Working session aims to update the Indonesian civil society organizations and movements on the old and new trends in the governance and operations of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as they relate to Indonesia. Read more Update \| 21 November 2007 World Bank asked to implement NDP Action Plan In 2006, the World Bank’s Inspection Panel (IP) issued its investigation report for the Bank-funded Pakistan National Drainage Program (NDP). The inspection requesters strongly feel the World Bank Board should ask the Inspection Panel to monitor progress of Management's Action Plan so as to provide the Board with an independent assessment of progress or lack thereof. Read more Update \| 5 November 2007 People's tribunal in Bangladesh announced A people's tribunal against the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank was announced in Dhaka, Bangladesh yesterday, hours before World Bank President, Robert Zoellick's arrival in the country. Read more Update \| 1 November 2007 NGOs urge World Bank to stop funding mega-projects in Pakistan As the World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, embarks on his first official visit to South Asia, non-governmental organizations in Pakistan urge the Bank to cease funding for large infrastructure projects. Read more Country Update \| 1 November 2007 Mongolia Country Update #1 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Mongolia. Read more Update \| 29 October 2007 U.S. Senator urges Zoellick to reform the World Bank As World Bank President Robert Zoellick works to secure IDA funds, an influential U.S. Democratic senator calls for changes at the institution. Read more Update \| 9 October 2007 World Bank tribunal in The Hague On October 15th, a public hearing on the World Bank will take place in The Hague. The hearing aims to raise the debate on the legitimacy of the World Bank and influence the aid distribution process. Read more Update \| 1 October 2007 World Bank muddled in corruption once more Whistleblowers have found evidence of large scale fraud in Armenia, but the World Bank's Institutional Integrity Department (INT) has deemed the case to be of only "medium priority," and is holding off inquiries into the allegations. Read more Update \| 26 September 2007 Independent People’s Tribunal charges World Bank with serious violations of democracy, human rights and sovereignty In its preliminary findings, the first ever Independent People’s Tribunal on the World Bank in India found that the Bank had an undue and disturbingly negative influence in shaping India’s national policies disproportionate to its contribution, financial or otherwise. Read more Country Update \| 24 September 2007 Kazakhstan Country Update #15 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kazakhstan. Read more Country Update \| 24 September 2007 Azerbaijan Country Update #13 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Azerbaijan. Read more Update \| 21 September 2007 Independent People's Tribunal on World Bank gets underway in Delhi The four-day Independent People's Tribunal on the World Bank, the first of its kind in India, begins today. The Tribunal is an opportunity for impacted commununities and concerned groups to discuss how the World Bank has influenced their lives. Read more Update \| 14 September 2007 Volcker report finds Bank ineffective in addressing corruption A review of the World Bank's Department of Institutional Integrity and its Governance and Anti-corruption strategy finds that weak management, employee resistance and internal distrust is contributing to the Bank's ineffectiveness in combating corruption in its operations. Read more Update \| 6 September 2007 GAP details serious issues with World Bank's anti-corruption unit In a report released today, the Government Accountabilty Project finds that the World Bank's Department of Institutional Integrity is undermined by a conflict of interest at its top ranks and serious, long-term problems. Read more Update \| 6 September 2007 World Bank tries to hide scathing corruption report The Wall Street Journal has leaked a 2005 report by the World Bank's Department of Institutional Integrity (INT) that documents consistent fraud and corruption under Bank-financed health care projects in India. Read more Update \| 5 September 2007 Inspection Panel appoints new member The World Bank's Inspection Panel has named Roberto Lenton as its newest member. Read more Update \| 23 August 2007 Communities in Ghana appeal to Inspection Panel about Bank landfill project The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) filed a request for inspection of the World Bank's Kwabenya landfill project in Accra, the capital of Ghana. They argued that the project would displace a significant portion of the Agyemankata community and cause health problems for residents, who were not adequately consulted. Read more Update \| 20 July 2007 Where will Zoellick steer the World Bank? The new World Bank President spoke of middle income countries, good governance and the need to diversify services at a town hall meeting earlier this month. Read more Update \| 3 July 2007 Update: Inspection Panel vacancy at World Bank Civil society groups are calling for candidates with clear commitments to accountability and deep understanding of civil society and grassroots impacts of World Bank investments. Read more Update \| 22 June 2007 Little news from World Bank Board meeting with presidential nominee Robert Zoellick Zoellick met with the 24-member Board on June 20 in a four hour, informal meeting. The discussion will continue on Monday June 25. The Board is expected to formally appoint Zoellick by the end of the month. Read more Update \| 18 June 2007 Deadline for nominating candidates for World Bank presidency passes Despite all the public outcry about the flaws in the World Bank's governance and the need for an open, democratic, and merit-based process for the selection of the next World Bank President, NOT A SINGLE COUNTRY proposed an alternate candidate to the US's pick for the job, allowing the US to continue its grip on the leadership of the institution. The Board is expected to confirm the Bush administration's choice for the job - Robert Zoellick - by the end of June... Read more Update \| 31 May 2007 US picks its winner for one-horse race to head World Bank; other countries must step up to the gate The White House’s announcement that it will nominate former US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to be the next World Bank President, and the widespread assumption that the choice is a fait accompli, serve as a reminder that the lessons of the Wolfowitz scandal have yet to be learned. Read BIC's May 31 Press Release on the Zoellick nomination. Read more Update \| 17 May 2007 World Bank governance challenges: what must be done The Wolfowitz scandal should serve as a sobering wake-up call to the World Bank on the need for meaningful governance reforms. Its archaic 1940s convention of allowing the US to name the Bank’s leader undermines the institution’s legitimacy as well as the accountability of the Bank’s president. The Bank does not need to look very far for reform proposals - including its own 2001 proposals for an open, competitive selection process that were summarily ignored. Read more Update \| 17 April 2007 Inspection Panel vacancy at World Bank Applications are being accepted for the next member of the Inspection Panel. Candidates should have a clear commitment to accountability and a deep understanding of civil society and grassroots impacts of World Bank investments. Read more Update \| 12 April 2007 CSOs register complaint with World Bank Inspection Panel over proposed Bujagali hydroelectric project Ugandan groups highlight risks of project to hydrology of Lake Victoria, sustainability of the energy production, lack of comprehensive needs and options assessment, anticipated impacts on local communities Read more Update \| 20 February 2007 Paul Volcker to lead independent investigation of World Bank's integrity unit The Department plays a critical role in rooting out fraud and corruption within the World Bank - a focus many claim is underplayed in the institution's development of its Governance and Anti-Corruption Strategy. Read more Update \| 13 February 2007 Film puts World Bank and IMF on trial A new film by independent Malian director demands accountability from the IFIs for their impacts in Africa. Staged in a typical family courtyard in Mali, "Bamako" beautifully documents a people's trial of the World Bank and IMF. Read more Update \| 12 February 2007 BIC Comments on IFC's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman's Revised Draft Operational Guidelines The Compliance Advisor Ombudsman(CAO), the independent recourse mechanism in charge of enhancing the development impact and sustainability of the IFC and MIGA, opened the floor for comments on the its Revised Draft Operational Guidelines at the end of 2006. Read more Update \| 30 January 2007 World Bank anti-corruption strategy needs improvement Concerns include the draft's failure to adequately address the Bank's internal governance and the role of the private sector. Read more Update \| 24 January 2007 Gordon Brown urges reform of UN, World Bank and IMF The Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, called for "modernization and reform" of the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, at a keynote speech in India on January 17, 2007. Read more Update \| 18 November 2006 World Bank anti-corruption strategy: Work Plan and consultation process begin Work begins, in spite of lingering tensions Read more Update \| 21 October 2006 Wolfowitz's anti-corruption plan receives lukewarm reception at Annual Meetings The World Bank's controversial Governance and Anti-Corruption Framework was the subject of intense debate prior to the Annual Meetings, raising important questions about the appropriate role for the Bank in fighting corruption, and the need for the institution to clean up its own act before dictating strategies to others. Read more Update \| 17 May 2005 Pakistan drainage project: People’s assembly demands justice from World Bank Communities vow to take own measures if demands are not met. Read more Update \| 15 March 2005 Inspection Panel postpones investigation mission on National Drainage Project complaint Panel heeded Government’s recommendation that “recent torrential rains” and upcoming local elections will hamper investigation. Villagers say Panel was misinformed. Read more Correspondence \| 8 June 2004 BIC letter to World Bank Board outlines concern that first safeguard pilot project will weaken role of Inspection Panel A proposed project in Mexico will be the first to test the World Bank’s new approach to social and environmental safeguards. BIC sends a letter outlining serious concerns. Read more Update \| 7 June 2004 World Bank’s proposed middle income country strategy threatens to weaken social and environmental standards. 186 organizations sign letter in protest. Letter also requests that the strategy's Mexican pilot project not be approved while there is no agreement about the overall strategy. 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