http://www.bicusa.org/en/WhatsNew.aspx The latest content posted to the Bank Information Center website 10 http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif http://www.bicusa.org/en/WhatsNew.aspx Severe doubts have been raised by some of the IDB's own members regarding Luis Alberto Moreno's management. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11814.aspx Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:35:46 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11814.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11813.aspx Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11813.aspx A coalition comprised of more than 100 civil society groups from 20 countries are attending the IDB's Annual Meetings in Cancun, Mexico this week seeking answers from Bank Governors and Executives on crucial reforms that must be discussed before a Board vote on a multi-billion dollar capital increase. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11812.aspx Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:58:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11812.aspx Brazilian Minister of Finance, Guido Mantega: "we will propose at the meeting that the IDB elect a new administration that is more efficient and beneficial to the region". "Our joint evaluation is that his performance has been unsatisfactory". http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11811.aspx Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:10:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11811.aspx While Moreno prays for "white smoke" at the IDB Annual Meetings in Cancun, both critics within the Bank and civil society offer sharp criticism of the leader's performance. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11810.aspx Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:27:53 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11810.aspx This article is based on an investigation of the Puerto Suárez - Santa Cruz Bi-Oceanic Corridor conducted by a team of professionals from the Center of Applied Studies of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CEADESC) in Bolivia. The investigation is centered on transparency policies applied in the management and development of mega-infrastructure projects within the IIRSA integration initiative in South America, and aims to ignite a debate between civil society and the various international actors that finance IIRSA. The CEADESC study shows that this debate can only take place within a wider discussion about the interrelation between development policy, democracy and human rights given that each one of these dimensions is a condition for advancement of the others. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11809.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:21:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11809.aspx South African activists Caroline Ntaopane and Makoma Lekalakala take on the World Bank's proposed loan to Eskom. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11808.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:12:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11808.aspx The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility will hold the fifth meeting of its Participants Committee in order to discuss several reforms and readiness proposals. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11806.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:17:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11806.aspx Find out what the World Bank's strategy is in your country. In some instances, there is a Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), and in others, the Bank has used a more collaborative approach in designing and defining the pillars of their development program, to design a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11805.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:50:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11805.aspx Rainforest Foundation Norway, Rainforest Foundation UK, Greenpeace, FERN and Global Witness, released a joint statement on March 12, 2010, criticizing the Democratic Republic of Congo's REDD readiness proposal for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11804.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:58:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11804.aspx Friends of the Earth is planning a discussion with two South African activists about the proposed $3.75 million loan to Eskom which will fund the construction of the Medupi power station tomorrow at 1 p.m. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11803.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:25:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11803.aspx A new letter from civil society organizations to the International Finance Corporation demands that the lender focus its loans more directly on social and environmental good to achieve poverty alleviation. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11802.aspx Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:05:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11802.aspx World Bank research paper debunks conventional views that renewable energy is too costly for large-scale expansion. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11801.aspx Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:12:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11801.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11800.aspx Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11800.aspx The night of March 10, the full Senate confirmed Ian Hoddy Solomon by voice vote to be the Executive Director for the United States at the World Bank. He will replace Eli Whitney Debevoise II. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11799.aspx Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:01:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11799.aspx A mining law which the International Financial Corporation has been helping the Yemeni government to draft has recently been completed and will be submitted to Parliament. According to this article, one of the main hindrances for potential investment in Yemen's mining sector is the security issue, leaving us with a few questions: Is the IFC willing and planning to invest? Would the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency provide insurance for investors? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11798.aspx Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:35:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11798.aspx The staff of Senator Richard Lugar released a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations calling for reform of the IFIs before Congress approves upcoming capital replenishment requests for the institutions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11797.aspx Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:10:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11797.aspx Habi Center for Environmental Rights continues to engage the World Bank and the Egyptian government on the West Delta project. Egyptian CSOs have been urging the Bank to consider an alternative irrigation project which would help poor farmers as well. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11796.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:49:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11796.aspx The multi-stakeholder consultation addressed the World Bank's Energy Strategy Approach Paper which will guide the Bank's energy lending over the coming decade. Civil society, the private sector and international orgs provided feedback to the Bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11795.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:32:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11795.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11794.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11794.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11793.aspx Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11793.aspx In 2009, BIC conducted a survey of civil society organizations in 19 countries involved in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a coalition that works with the World Bank Group to promote transparency in extractives. The survey looked into the effectiveness of CSO participation and the role of the World Bank in the process. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11792.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:39:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11792.aspx A new report from the Center for American Progress looks into the World Bank's ability to exacerbate or alleviate climate change through its project funding and its ability to set standards for other institutions. BIC's analysis of the Bank's energy lending is cited http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11791.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:35:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11791.aspx The Bank will delay the proposed refurbishment of the Inga 1 and 2 dams until 2016, and will cut back the size of the project. Staff said that the cutbacks were due to both the world financial crisis and problems specific to the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11790.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:10:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11790.aspx After the Democratic Republic of Congo cancelled an IFC backed mining contract over disputed payments, the World Bank arm has declared that it will not begin new projects in the country until the dispute is resolved. The IFC is currently active in nine projects in Congo with a commitment of $104.6 million. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11789.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:35:15 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11789.aspx Hundreds of Peruvian communities were displaced as they fled the 1980-2000 civil war. Today the government is pushing for urgent passage of a law that would facilitate the relocation of entire villages or neighbourhoods in mineral or energy-rich areas. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11788.aspx Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:55:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11788.aspx Amy Ekdawi and Nadia Daar of BIC's Middle East and North Africa Program participate in four training sessions for the World Bank's MENA staff on engaging civil society in the region. This training is part of the Bank's Enhanced Action Plan for the MENA region which includes improved consultations, increased translation, and more engagement with civil society. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11787.aspx Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:50:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11787.aspx “In our capacity as regional authorities, we have conducted a technical analysis of this project and we will not endorse it, because this project will only benefit Brazil” stated Víctor Paredes Argandeña, regional director of Energy and Mining in Puno. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11786.aspx Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:16:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11786.aspx The proposed capital increases for the World Bank and IFC would expand their size without expanding the scope of their reform. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11785.aspx Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11785.aspx IDB Board of Governors Urged to Address Civil Society Concerns During Upcoming March 2nd Meeting in Washington, DC http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11784.aspx Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:31:19 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11784.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11783.aspx Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:19:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11783.aspx A broad coalition of civil society in South Africa is mobilizing opposition to the controversial loan proposed to help fund the Medupi coal plant. They threatened a boycott of World Bank bonds if the loan is approved. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11781.aspx Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:49:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11781.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11780.aspx Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:07:53 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11780.aspx This Thursday, Mark Constantine of the IFC will speak at the Greenpeace offices in Washington, DC about the IFC's new approach to the forestry sector. The meeting is open to the public, so feel free to join us. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11779.aspx Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:41:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11779.aspx Eight months have passed since the bloody confrontation between police and local protestors in Bagua over decrees passed by the Peruvian government that opened up indigenous land in the rainforest to oil, mining and logging companies, resulting in the death of 12 policemen and at least 10 indigenous demonstrators. Nevertheless, two falsely accused demonstrators remain behind bars, while no policemen have been charged for the deaths of the protestors. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11778.aspx Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:25:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11778.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11777.aspx Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:09:11 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11777.aspx More than 100 civil society organizations from 18 countries stepped up pressure on the IDB by submitting a letter to the Board of Governors demanding Transparency and Evidence of Structural Reforms before the approval on the Capital Increase in Cancun, Mexico. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11776.aspx Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:03:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11776.aspx Brazil and Argentina called on Friday for reforms at the Inter-American Development Bank, saying the regional lender had failed to understand the needs of Latin America during the global financial crisis. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11775.aspx Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:39:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11775.aspx The Bangladeshi government objects to grant money being channelled through the World Bank, which it says will attach unfavourable "strings and conditions." http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11774.aspx Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:31:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11774.aspx Communities, environmental groups, academics and NGOs today call on the World Bank to cease and desist from a proposed loan of R29 billion ($3.75 bn) to Eskom. If this loan – which may come up for a Board vote in March or April – goes through, poor South Africans will have to bear the burden of Eskom’s debt and the World Bank’s cost recovery programme, and climate change will intensify. A world campaign begins now. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11773.aspx Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:13:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11773.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11772.aspx Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:15:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11772.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11771.aspx Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:08:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11771.aspx So-called extractivism, which includes mineral and oil exploitation, has a long history in Latin America. Current exports have been nourished by extractivist activities. Extractivism has continued to play a key role in national economies. It has also occupied a place at the center of powerful struggles because of its economic, social, and environmental impacts. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11769.aspx Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:31:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11769.aspx A cement plant in India financed in part by the IFC and ADB has been shut down pending a Supreme Court review of the mining operation supplying the plant. The complaint alleges that land was illegally transferred from tribal groups, that mining was undertaken without approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, and that customs and other duties were ignored. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11768.aspx Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:07:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11768.aspx The Union of South American Nations, Unasur, leaders agreed Tuesday to provide 300 million US dollars in aid to Haiti at a summit in Ecuador which left aside regional disputes that have undermined relations since 2008. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11766.aspx Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:19:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11766.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11765.aspx Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:23:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11765.aspx Without transparency the energy agreement would be less accountable http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11764.aspx Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:24:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11764.aspx Brazil and Argentina will present a proposal for reform of the Inter-American Development Bank at the next meeting of G-20 nations, Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Friday, according to the Estado news agency. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11763.aspx Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:41:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11763.aspx On the eve of Friday's meeting by G7 finance ministers in Iqaluit, Canada, 94 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner that also called for 'the provision of assistance to Haiti in the form of grants so that the country does not accumulate additional debts. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11762.aspx Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:50:13 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11762.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11761.aspx Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:45:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11761.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11760.aspx Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:08:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11760.aspx Despite Kayapo protests over flawed consultation process, IBAMA has granted a preliminary license to move forward with the 11,000 MW - $20 billion Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. Brazilian government officials have threatened the Para Public Ministry not to bring lawsuits to block the dam. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11759.aspx Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:35:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11759.aspx On January 13th, nine executive directors representing China, India, and other countries in the Global South wrote a letter protesting the recently announced guidelines from the U.S. for what coal projects it could support. The directors objected to the United States declaring it wouldn't support coal projects while maintaining its own reliance on coal power. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11758.aspx Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:35:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11758.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11757.aspx Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:01:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11757.aspx "The World Bank released a study that finally put the impacts of climate change, deforestation and fires together. The tipping point for the Amazon is 20 percent deforestation," and that is "a scary result," Tom Lovejoy, a member of the external review panel for the report, told Tierramérica in an interview. The study, "Assessment of the Risk of Amazon Dieback," released Jan. 22, drew on the expertise of several international research institutions, including Japan's Meteorological Research Institute, Britain's Exeter University, Brazil's Centre for Weather Forecasting and Climate Change (CPET/INPE), Germany's Potsdam Institute and Earth3000. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11756.aspx Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:46:53 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11756.aspx Within the context of the upcoming general capital increase for the World Bank, African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Treasury Department produced a document outlining U.S. reform priorities for these multilateral development banks. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11752.aspx Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:21:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11752.aspx On January 27, 2010, BIC's MENA Program Manager, Amy Ekdawi spoke at a workshop organized by the Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union's Lebanon Budget Project (LBP) which was geared towards educating Lebanese civil society groups on the World Bank's involvement in Lebanon and how to participate in the Bank's decision making process. This workshop was part of LBP's broader mandate to encourage citizen participation in the design of the Lebanese budget. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11751.aspx Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:47:13 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11751.aspx The principal indigenous federation of the Madre de Dios region of Peru issued a press release rejecting the proposed construction of the Inambari dam and call for the immediate suspension of the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11750.aspx Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:28:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11750.aspx Awaiting his confirmation as the new U.S. Executive Director at the World Bank, Ian Solomon testified about how his experience would inform his time at the Bank, and about the role he sees the institution taking. Also testifying was Walter Crawford Jones, nominee to be U.S. Executive Director at the African Development Bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11749.aspx Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:03:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11749.aspx Book Launch: Jan. 26 & 27, 2009 - Lima, Peru: Peruvian Amazon in 2021-Infrastructure and the Exploitation of Natural Resources: What is happening and what does it mean for the future? by Marc Dourojeanni, Alberto Barandiarán y Diego Dourojeanni is a publication in which the authors fill a informational gap that exists for Peruvian citizens regarding what the government and private investors plan to do in the coming decade in the Peruvian Amazon. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11748.aspx Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:33:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11748.aspx Alongside the Energy Strategy review, the Bank has been working on a revision of its broader Environmental Strategy since September 2009. This calendar shows both the upcoming consultation dates and summaries of previous consultations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11747.aspx Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:39:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11747.aspx Expert in envrionmental issues Marc Dourojeanni criticized Peru for its lack of an Amazon Development Plan and warned that the Peruvian jungle will experience irreversible changes if even a third of the planned projects are implemented over the next 12 years. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11746.aspx Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:19:11 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11746.aspx 19 educational institutions will be lost in the construction of the Inambari hydroelectric center, affecting 634 students if the government goes forward with the project, which will benefit Brazil. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11745.aspx Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:35:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11745.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11744.aspx Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:07:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11744.aspx An interview with Roxana Torres Camacho, of the Association of Biologists of Puno, who asserts that the construction of the Inambari hydroelectric dam will not only spur the disappearance and death of plants and animals, but may even increase the spread of diseases among humans. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11743.aspx Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:54:19 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11743.aspx Nancy Alexander's new report finds several worrying trends in how the World Bank spends its money, namely that it is increasing its lending to middle income countries while loans and grants to low income countries stagnate, that DPOs with less stringent safeguards are outpacing project lending, and that the Gender Action Plan is not achieving its goals. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11742.aspx Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:01:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11742.aspx The Bank has initiated the first round of consultations on its Energy Strategy by opening online comments to the public and publishing dates for meetings in select countries. The consultations will last until June of this year. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11741.aspx Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:56:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11741.aspx A memo from the U.S. Treasury Department laying out conditions for supporting new coal projects at MDBs has angered several other shareholders in the World Bank. Nine executive directors objected that they were being cut off from financing for cheap coal while the U.S. still produces 26% of coal generated electricity worldwide. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11740.aspx Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:50:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11740.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11739.aspx Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:00:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11739.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11738.aspx Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:29:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11738.aspx Last year, the executive directors of Sierra Club and Rainforest Action Network sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner encouraging him to end federal subsidies for coal-fired power plants. Included in the letter is the point that the U.S. subsidizes coal plants through its vote at the multilateral development banks. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11737.aspx Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:03:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11737.aspx All the latest news from the IDB Global Capital Increase (GCI-9) and the Annual Meetings taking place from March 19-23, 2010 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11736.aspx Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:02:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11736.aspx The Andean Development Corporation (CAF) confirmed today that it has approved an additional loan of 200 million dollars for the implementation of the final phase of of sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Southern Interoceanic Highway (CVIS). The total cost of the project, originally set at $892 million in 2006 could now exceed $2 billion. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11735.aspx Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:54:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11735.aspx Brazil's Ministry of Transport, in partnership with the National Departament of Infrastructure and Transport (DNIT) will begin to implement water transport projects over the next 20 years. The projects will be supported by the World Bank Strategic Waterway Plan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11734.aspx Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:31:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11734.aspx Five countries recently submitted Readiness Preparation Proposals to the Participants Committee of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. Argentina, DRC, Ghana, Mexico, and Suriname will have their proposals for grant allocation reviewed at the next meeting of the Participants Committee in March. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11733.aspx Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:39:47 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11733.aspx The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently released guidelines on the funding of coal power plants by multilateral development banks, prompting mixed reactions from civil society. BIC board member Athena Ballesteros and Sustainable Energy Expert Yong Chen are quoted, expressing enthusiasm as well as concern about the guidelines and their effectiveness. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11732.aspx Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:58:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11732.aspx The Andean Development Corporation (CAF) approved a loan of 200 million dollars to Peru for the implementation of the final phase of sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Southern Interoceanic Highway (CVIS), the organization confirmed today. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11731.aspx Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:21:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11731.aspx As the world grapples with the ongoing disaster in Haiti, many are asking what went wrong in the once rich colony to leave it so vulnerable and impoverished. The Nation's Richard Kim looks at how structural adjustment loans from IFIs have exacerbated Haiti's woes, and how a new loan will continue the cycle. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11730.aspx Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:44:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11730.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11729.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11729.aspx Fander Falconi was the third government official to resign over a plan to seek international donations of $3 billion over the next 10 years to keep an estimated 850 million barrels of heavy crude oil under the ground in the remote Yasuni National Park. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11728.aspx Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:09:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11728.aspx What was at first a seemingly simple and non-provocative Inspection Panel case, has now led the Bank to re-evaluate its relationship with civil society across the MENA region and develop an action plan for engagement. Nadia Daar of BIC's MENA program examines the importance of this development. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11727.aspx Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:02:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11727.aspx Given the overwhelming evidence of GDF Suez's lack of due diligence in the planning and construction phases of the Jirau hydroelectric project - associated with significant violations of relevant human rights and environmental legislation, as well as enormous risks of additional social and environmental dam, civil society organizations call on the French dam builder to halt the construction of the Jirau dam on the Madeira River in Brazil and to undertake emergency remedial actions to address the project's risks. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11725.aspx Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11725.aspx Dr. Vandana Shiva of the Navdanya Trust reviews the Copenhagen conference and its underlying politics. Coming from a Global South perspective, he finds little basis for continued delay in action or the implicit assumption that present economic dominance by the Global North and certain polluters must be maintained at all costs. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11723.aspx Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:01:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11723.aspx In December 2009, the World Bank held two consultative meetings on the Social Welfare Fund Institutional Support Project with Yemeni civil society. These meetings come in the context of the Bank's MENA Management's Enhanced Action Plan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11722.aspx Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:20:14 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11722.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11721.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11721.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11720.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11720.aspx El complejo del Rio Madeira es un emprendimiento prioritario dentro de la iniciativa IIRSA y el Plan de Aceleramiento del Desarrollo (PAC) del gobierno brasilero. El complejo del río Madeira en los planes de infraestructura http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11719.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11719.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11718.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11718.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11717.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11717.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11716.aspx Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11716.aspx On December 14th, the U.S. Treasury released a note titled "Guidance to MDBs for Engaging with Developing Countries on Coal-Fired Power Generation" which will guide how U.S. representatives to MDBs deal with proposed coal projects. Here, BIC comments on the functionality of the new policy. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11715.aspx Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:17:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11715.aspx Indigenous, university, academic and NGO organizations participated in the symposium on Vivir Bien within the V Latin American and Social Science Conference (CLASO) in La Paz, Bolivia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11714.aspx Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:33:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11714.aspx Indigenous and small farmer communities of Pando and Brazil participated in a workshop convened by CEADESC about the social and enviromental impacts of IIRSA megaprojects such as the Northern Corridor Highway, the Rio Madeira Hydroelectric Dams in late August, 2009 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11713.aspx Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:23:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11713.aspx President Evo Morales’s leftist government, which has asserted greater control over some of South America’s most coveted natural gas reserves, is facing a challenge as neighboring countries move to achieve energy security by cutting their dependence on Bolivian gas supplies. New gas projects in Brazil and Argentina have come on line at a time when Mr. Morales is winning plaudits for a strong economy. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11712.aspx Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:45:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11712.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11711.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11711.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11710.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11710.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11709.aspx Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11709.aspx In December 2009, the U.S. Treasury released a guidance note intended to be adapted by individual MDBs and incorporated into their respective operational policies, country and sector strategies, and other procedures that are related to the public or private project cycle for coal-powered generation operations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11708.aspx Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:25:02 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11708.aspx The road sector will be the main beneficiary with the unprecedented investment of U.S. $ 1 billion the government has budgeted for infrastructure during 2010 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11707.aspx Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:13:19 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11707.aspx The government announced that this year will launch the construction of large projects such as the hydroelectric dam of Coca-Codo Sinclair and different opening of new roads. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11706.aspx Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:55:35 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11706.aspx