Eye on Zoellick | Bank Information Center: Monitoring the projects and policies of the World Bank, IMF and other international financial institutions


bicusa.org/zoellick Home Issues IFI GovernanceEye on Zoellick Eye on Zoellick Overview Background Concerns Updates Resources 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 \| 23 June 2008 Zoellick visits Kyzylorda region World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick praised Kazakhstan for its role in reviving the Aral Sea, on a recent visit to the region. Read more Update \| 12 June 2008 World Bank teams with celebrities to save the tiger; India refuses funds The World Bank's Tiger Conservation Initiative aims to raise global awareness about the plight of the endangered tiger and to work with local and international communities to stave off its extinction. The initiative is unprecedented for an institution whose stated mission is to fight poverty in developing countries rather than conserve endangered species. But a day after the launch, India is reported for have refused the World Bank's "offer" for a loan for the inititiative. Read more Update \| 29 May 2008 World Bank sets up $1.2 billion facility for food aid The World Bank announced today that it has set up a financing facility in the order of $1.2 billion to assist with the global food crisis. Read more Update \| 9 May 2008 Amid food riots and shaken governments IFIs scramble to develop a coherent response Skyrocketing food prices have forced the international financial institutions (IFIs) to articulate responses to the situation. The World Bank has conjured a "New Deal for Global Food Policy" to pump agriculture-oriented loans and programs into Africa and to address emergency financing needs. The IMF has voiced concern over the likely macroeconomic shocks of the food crisis in low-income countries. But the Bretton Woods Institutions must wrestle with a legacy that helped set the stage for diminished food security in many low-income countries. 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 \| 15 April 2008 Projecto Conjunto Bretton Woods Actualizacion #60 Lea la edición especial de la Actualización de Bretton Woods, coproducida por Afrodad, Bank Information Center, Choike y Eurodad. Esta edición esta disponible también en ingles. Read more Update \| 7 April 2008 Joint Bretton Woods Project Update # 60 Read the special Spring Meetings edition of the Bretton Woods Update, co-produced with Afrodad, Bank Information Center, Choike, and Eurodad. The issue is also available in Spanish. Read more Update \| 8 February 2008 Bank President reiterates support for agriculture at African Union summit Robert Zoellick told Africa's leaders the World Bank wanted to expand its "efforts to help countries produce their own food, instead of relying on imports.” This would represent a complete reversal of Bank policy which has focused thus far on encouraging Africa to devote more land and resources to growing commodities, and to rely on international markets to purchase the food they were no longer growing. Read more Update \| 4 February 2008 China's Lin named chief economist of World Bank World Bank hopes leading academic's appointment will help strengthen ties with China. Read more Update \| 4 February 2008 Zoellick commits to expanding Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Addressing the African Union Summit on Thursday, January 31, 2008, World Bank President Zoellick committed to expanding the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Read more Update \| 1 February 2008 Zoellick pledges support for post-conflict countries during Liberia visit The World Bank President also spoke of the need to “speed up the process of clearing the arrears of countries that have fallen behind in payments to multilateral lenders.” 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 \| 18 January 2008 World Bank reiterates intentions to collaborate with China in Africa During a recent visit to China, Bank President Robert Zoellick appeared keen to assuage concerns that China’s massive loan packages to Africa could compromise recent efforts to reduce some African countries’ debt burdens. Zoellick also praised China for its decision to contribute for the first time to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). 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 \| 4 December 2007 Seeing the forest for the carbon? As the World Bank prepares to launch the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) -- its flagship initiative to address deforestation-related greenhouse gas emissions -- at the United Nations climate change conference in Bali, Indonesia, we offer some background on the FCPC and outline the concerns surrounding this controversial new mechanism. Read more Update \| 27 November 2007 Comment: Try as it might, the World Bank cannot hide its failings The World Bank touted it's meeting with a delegation of Pygmies from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the Bank's Annual Meetings in October. But as Simon Counsell of Rainforest Foundation UK points out, the Bank has consistently ignored the findings of the quasi-independent Inspecition Panel and violated its own "safeguard policies." 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 Update \| 30 October 2007 WB/IMF Annual Meetings 2007: Little Flash, Some Substance Robert Zoellick’s first World Bank annual meeting passed with little fanfare or flak – a marked contrast to the boisterous semi-annual meeting in April, when the pressure on his predecessor, Paul Wolfowitz, to resign reached a fever pitch. 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 \| 5 October 2007 Zoellick overhauls top management World Bank President Robert Zoellick has named former Nigerian Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as a new managing director of the Bank, effective December 1, 2007. Read more Update \| 24 September 2007 Zoellick faces aid shortfall World Bank President faces an uphill battle to raise money from donors to support the Bank’s work in poor countries. Read more Update \| 20 September 2007 Zoellick names chief of staff In his first high-level appointment since taking office, World Bank President, Robert Zoellick has named Caroline Anstey as his new Chief of Staff. 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 \| 7 September 2007 Zoellick's Wall Street Approach The new approach aims to reinvigorate the World Bank with high quality products and financial services. Read more Update \| 22 August 2007 Zoellick skims over corruption in Cambodia During his recent visit to Cambodia, new World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, mentioned corruption reform in the county only in passing. Global Witness called on Zoellick to do more to tackle corruption in Cambodia. Read more Update \| 8 August 2007 From Australia to Japan and back; Zoellick concludes trip New World Bank President Robert Zoellick recently returned to Washington, DC following a Pacific tour. Read more Update \| 21 July 2007 World Bank governance report paints rosy picture of Africa Meanwhile, divisions on the Bank's Board of Directors over the report's findings could present Zoellick with his first test of leadership. 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 \| 5 July 2007 Zoellick begins term at World Bank Robert Zoellick spoke to hundreds of World Bank employees on his first day at the job Monday. The Economic Times reported he was greeted by applause and high hopes from a staff demoralized by recent scandal. Read more Update \| 25 June 2007 Zoellick officially selected as next World Bank President The Executive Directors of the World Bank unanimously selected Robert B. Zoellick to succeed Mr. Wolfowitz, effective July 1, 2007, as the 11th President of the Bank for a five-year term. 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 \| 20 June 2007 World Bank Directors meet with presidential nominee Zoellick today They will discuss "key issues of interest to the World Bank Group, including the challenges of development...governance and leadership as well as future strategic directions". The Board is expected to confirm Zoellick on June 30. Read the most recent statement from the Executive Directors on the process. Read more Update \| 19 June 2007 Zoellick highlights challenges facing next World Bank President The only official nominee for the post of World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, recently concluded a two week tour of Africa, Europe and Latin America and commented on what it will take to steer the institution back on track. 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 \| 14 June 2007 Zoellick pledges to keep Africa atop agenda Uncontested World Bank presidential nominee makes no major break from Wolfowitz's agenda during Africa tour. Read more Update \| 8 June 2007 Who's saying what about Robert Zoellick Reactions to the United States' nomination of the former US Trade Representative for the next World Bank President... Read more Update \| 7 June 2007 US candidate for World Bank President on 'goodwill tour' Robert Zoellick will travel to Africa, Europe and Latin America in an effort to "listen and learn". Read more Update \| 30 May 2007 Bush to name Robert Zoellick World Bank head In spite of international calls for an open, merit-based process for choosing Paul Wolfowitz's successor, President Bush is expected to name Zoellick later this afternoon. His nomination must still be approved by the Bank's Board of Executive Directors. 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