http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.2.aspx The latest news on Accountability from the Bank Information Center 10 http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.2.aspx As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to face escalating deficits and a crisis of credibility, almost a quarter of its 2,400 full-time staff in Washington, D.C. have voluntarily applied for resignations. At the same time, the Board of Governors of the IMF has approved the proposed quota and voice reforms with a 92% majority vote. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3747.aspx Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3747.aspx In response to requests from the Bank Information Center (BIC) and other civil society organizations, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has begun providing links to where IFC extractive industry clients disclose their payments to host governments. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3734.aspx Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:52:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3734.aspx Updated April 10, 2008: The World Bank's Inspection Panel is recruiting qualified applicants to fill a vacancy in its three-member team. Regional balance considerations could likely mean selection of a candidate from the South East Asia region. The closing date for applications has been extended to April 30, 2008. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3716.aspx Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:29:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3716.aspx Read the preliminary assessment of the implementation of project level revenue transparency commitments for the extractive industry projects financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3685.aspx Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:08:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3685.aspx Trainings aim to inform Indonesian civil society about the basics of the multilateral development banks and hold the institutions accountable. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3683.aspx Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:12:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3683.aspx Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn attempts to fix the IMF’s fractured legitimacy and financial fiasco through an ambitious, opaque, and inaccessible "Interim Work Program." http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3664.aspx Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3664.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3659.aspx Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:07:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3659.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3657.aspx Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:00:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3657.aspx 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). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3651.aspx Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3651.aspx The Compliance Review Panel is part of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Accountability Mechanism. It is a citizen’s complaint panel where people affected by ADB projects can request an independent investigation into problems they face and policy violations committed by the ADB. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3634.aspx Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3634.aspx Siete líderes de Sudamérica lanzaron el domingo el Banco del Sur, promoviéndolo como la alternativa del continente a las entidades prestamistas que tiene el apoyo de EE.UU. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3617.aspx Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:03:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3617.aspx One World Trust’s 2007 report identifies vital accountability standards for global actors. Ratings of policies and systems, however, do not reflect the most critical dimension of accountability: on-the-ground practice. Asian groups disagree with top scores for ADB. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3598.aspx Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3598.aspx Ocho países inaugurarán el Banco del Sur este próximo Diciembre del 2007. El Banco del Sur representa un elemento clave en la renovación integral de la arquitectura regional financiera que ha dependido hasta ahora en los bancos del Norte. Lea el nuevo artículo de Vince McElhinny acerca del Banco del Sur y su significado para América Latina y la relevancia de las instituciones financieras internacionales en la región. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3587.aspx Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:26:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3587.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3584.aspx Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:11:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3584.aspx Eight countries are planning to inaugurate the Bank of the South in December 2007. The Bank of the South represents the cornerstone to a more wholesale renovation of the regional financial architecture long dependent on Northern banks. Read Vince McElhinny's new info brief on the Bank of the South and what it means for Latin America, and the continued relevance of the international financial institutions for the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3573.aspx Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:58:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3573.aspx For the first time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has publicly disclosed the official terms of appointment for its new Managing Director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. His terms include an annual salary of $420,930 (net of income taxes), an annual allowance of $75,350 for maintaining “a scale of living,” and the ability to resign from his position at any time. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3564.aspx Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:02:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3564.aspx On November 1, Jubilee South and other civil society organizations unveiled an open letter to the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela calling for a sovereign, supportive, sustainable and integrated Bank of the South. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3557.aspx Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3557.aspx Jubileo Sur y otras organizaciones de sociedad civil entregarán la carta a los presidentes de Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay y Venezuela, los probables firmantes de la creación del Banco. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3558.aspx Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3558.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3529.aspx Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:10:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3529.aspx As yet another top post at the International Monetary Fund goes to a European, critics question the institution's committment to increasing the voice and representation of developing country constituencies in the Fund. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3528.aspx Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:51:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3528.aspx Controversial both inside and outside the institution, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) strategy in low-income countries was debated at a recent panel that questioned whether or not the IMF should exit low-income countries. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3514.aspx Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:22:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3514.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3496.aspx Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3496.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3488.aspx Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:45:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3488.aspx Four members of the team tasked with revising the ADB project "safeguards" have resigned in protest against management's efforts to dilute the bank's policies on environment, resettlement and indigenous people. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3487.aspx Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:08:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3487.aspx The Asian Development Bank is contemplating changing mission its from “poverty reduction” to “inclusive, environmental friendly growth” and promoting “regional economic integration” as it tries to re-invent itself for the “New Asia.” http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3486.aspx Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:25:11 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3486.aspx The U.K. confirms its support of the EU nominee Dominique Strauss-Kahn for the leadership of the IMF; Luxembourg's prime minister assures a non-European leader in the future; and emerging countries such as India call out for real reform of governance in the IMF. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3483.aspx Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:22:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3483.aspx The World Bank's Inspection Panel has named Roberto Lenton as its newest member. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3475.aspx Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:31:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3475.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3447.aspx Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:44:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3447.aspx Africa, middle-income countries and cross-border problems are but some of the issues needing Robert Zoellick's attention. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3444.aspx Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:30:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3444.aspx Controversial Uganda dam to become the subject of the first trial case for the African Development Bank's new Independent Review Mechanism. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3328.aspx Wed, 09 May 2007 13:00:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3328.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3268.aspx Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:07:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3268.aspx The OED’s decision to include Khulna-Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project (KJDRP) in its 2007-2009 work-plan constitutes the first victory in the campaign to ensure the approach taken to manage drainage is not repeated in other ADB-funded projects in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3230.aspx Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:37:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3230.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3150.aspx Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:01:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3150.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3145.aspx Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:13:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3145.aspx Comments on the controversial strategy will be accepted for an unspecified amount of time. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3016.aspx Thu, 16 Nov 2006 23:51:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3016.aspx An article from Ethical Corporation on the Global Transparency Initiative's Charter for International Financial Institutions... http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3003.aspx Wed, 08 Nov 2006 11:02:35 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3003.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2986.aspx Sat, 21 Oct 2006 19:23:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2986.aspx Details on the International People's Forum and the official meetings, a boycott timeline, and links to additional resources. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2966.aspx Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:39:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2966.aspx In a statement released on the last day of the IPF, the organizers celebrate the success of the event and renew demands for multilateral debt cancellation, transparency and participatory audits of IFI lending and policies, and an end to IFI involvement in privatization of public services and environmentally destructive projects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2957.aspx Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:56:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2957.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2931.aspx Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:31:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2931.aspx Comments will be accepted through August 4. Civil society has anxiously monitored the development of the framework since the Development Committee asked World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to clarify his anti-corruption plan during last April's World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2882.aspx Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:00:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2882.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2874.aspx Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:46:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2874.aspx The Compliance-Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) released last week its comments on the January 25th drafts of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Safeguards policies, which the IFC approved February 21, 2006. Following the IFC’s lead, a collection of private sector financial institutions intends to complete a review of their guiding policies on social and environmental issues, the Equator Principles. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2676.aspx Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:37:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2676.aspx Suzanne Folsom was named Director of the Department of Institutional Integrity on January 17. Martin de Jong stepped down from the position last fall. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2581.aspx Fri, 13 Jan 2006 17:03:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2581.aspx The Asian Development Bank (ADB) posted a final draft of its review on the implementation of ADB Governance and Anticorruption Policies on December 27, 2005. The draft is available for public comment until February 1, 2006. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2567.aspx Thu, 05 Jan 2006 14:33:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2567.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2052.aspx Wed, 30 Mar 2005 13:54:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2052.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1866.aspx Thu, 13 Jan 2005 09:59:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1866.aspx Compliance Review Panel has 14 days to prepare the Terms of Reference, methodology, and time frame of the review. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1852.aspx Mon, 10 Jan 2005 16:53:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1852.aspx IIM Panel letter contests IDB Board misrepresentation of their report in an August 5 press release http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1645.aspx Mon, 11 Oct 2004 17:15:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1645.aspx IDB Executive Vice President Flannery recognizes need for improvement in IIM. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1585.aspx Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:51:47 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1585.aspx This hearing: "Combating Multilateral Development Bank Corruption: U.S. Treasury Role and Internal Efforts" is the third in recent months related to corruption at these institutions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1517.aspx Wed, 07 Jul 2004 11:03:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1517.aspx Rejected in 2001, complaint succeeds under new Inspection Mechanism. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1516.aspx Tue, 06 Jul 2004 11:09:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1516.aspx Link to information on this and two subsequent Senate hearings on oversight of MDBs. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1454.aspx Thu, 13 May 2004 14:03:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1454.aspx The ADB will be accepting comments on the draft procedures until April 29, 2004 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1384.aspx Mon, 05 Apr 2004 11:16:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1384.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1315.aspx Thu, 19 Feb 2004 16:31:14 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1315.aspx The African Development Bank is accepting public comments on its proposed inspection function through January 31. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.578.aspx Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:49:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.578.aspx