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 As the World Bank prepares its upcoming Interim Strategy Note for Tunisia - which will outline its engagement in the country for 2012-2013 - it is seeking citizens’ input and feedback which they can submit online through March 2012. As the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to spark the Arab Spring, Tunisia has shown that equitable development cannot take place in the absence of participation and accountability. With the World Bank playing a role not only in economic reforms but also in the areas of institutional and governance reforms, this consultation is one of hopefully several opportunities for citizens to play a role in shaping the economic and political future of Tunisia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12595.aspx Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:14:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12595.aspx The World Bank announced on January 23rd, 2012 that it would be re-establishing a presence in Yemen after several months of suspended disbursements to the country. The re-engagement is limited however; staff travel to Sana'a is restricted to essential missions, with much of the work continuing to be done out of the Bank's Amman and Cairo offices. A reassessment of the security situation will be done after Yemen's scheduled elections in February. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12594.aspx Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12594.aspx The Bank Information Center welcomes the World Bank’s initative to open up and create a larger space for civil society from the MENA region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12593.aspx Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:21:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12593.aspx The outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Brazil, Mahktar Diop, challenges the conclusions of an evaluation by Bank Information Center of the $1.3 billion Sustainable Environmental Management Development Policy to promote environmental reforms in Brazil. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12592.aspx Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:39:11 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12592.aspx Learn about the World Bank's promotion of water privatization, the Gujarat state highway project, Durban's dirty energy week, and more. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12591.aspx Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:55:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12591.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12590.aspx Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:14:13 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12590.aspx Nicholas Hamilton of the blog Cairo From Below discusses a proposed World Bank loan of $250 million for a major Egyptian transportation project, in the broader context of envisioning a sustainable transport strategy for the Greater Cairo Region. The Bank's proposed project is called the Urban Transport Infrastructure Development and is scheduled to be approved by the Bank's Board of Directors in early 2013. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12589.aspx Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:51:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12589.aspx Land grabs and the World Bank, recent pipeline projects, and water privatisation in India. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12586.aspx Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:11:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12586.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12583.aspx Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:39:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12583.aspx BIC/MENA publishes a study which overviews and analyzes the World Bank Group's role in Lebanon over the past five years. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12582.aspx Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:27:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12582.aspx New report by Amazonian indigenous peoples exposes the reality of REDD+ in Peru and proposes solutions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12581.aspx Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:18:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12581.aspx Commonly, it's thought that developing countries bear a large portion of the blame for climate change. This study shows that the biggest climate offenders are in fact the richest countries in the world, while low and middle income countries suffer from the effects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12580.aspx Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:52:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12580.aspx India's energy scenario is debated at the World Bank-IMF AGM, new roads in Assam, a loan for West Bengali farmers, and more. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12579.aspx Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:49:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12579.aspx Learn about how the World Bank is encouraging India to treat schools like businesses, the future of India's loans, and upcoming conservation initiatives in West Bengal. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12578.aspx Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:39:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12578.aspx The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) co-organised a roundtable discussion on the need for more parliamentary accountability and scrutiny of International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12577.aspx Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:26:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12577.aspx Read the latest on IFI happenings in India, including Indian women's participation in energy projects and the Rampur hydro scam. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12576.aspx Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:58:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12576.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12571.aspx Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:12:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12571.aspx The long-awaited solar program for the MENA region being co-funded by the World Bank has the potential to provide clean energy and jobs for the region, if it is implemented in consultation with local communities and with their interests and needs as a priority. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12570.aspx Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:43:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12570.aspx The African Development Bank has been setting itself up as a major knowledge broker for sustainable development across the continent. However, a new mapping project from Heinrich Boell and BIC draws into question the Bank's track record when it comes to climate change. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12569.aspx Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:07:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12569.aspx The CASA-1000 project, which begins the process of integrating the energy markets in Central and South Asia, is moving along with updated feasilbility studies from an independent consulting firm. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12567.aspx Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:16:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12567.aspx The World Bank is continuing apace on its work studying the proposed Rogun hydropower project in Tajikistan, which would be the largest hydropower in Central Asia. Two new assessments were recently released. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12566.aspx Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:00:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12566.aspx A new evaluation of a $1.3 billion World Bank development policy loan to promote sustainability reforms at the Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) that questions the effectiveness of DPLs due to weaknesses in existing Bank policy guiding their design and execution. This brief calls for the reform of Bank DPL policy as an urgent part of the ongoing revision of World Bank safeguard policies to ensure consistent management of risk across all World Bank operations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12554.aspx Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:30:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12554.aspx A new evaluation of a $1.3 billion World Bank development policy loan to promote sustainability reforms at the Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) that questions the effectiveness of DPLs due to weaknesses in existing Bank policy guiding their design and execution. The report calls for the reform of Bank DPL policy as an urgent part of the ongoing revision of World Bank safeguard policies to ensure consistent management of risk across all World Bank operations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12553.aspx Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:13:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12553.aspx The Sierra Club, along with the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development, has commissioned a report detailing the economic data involved in the World Bank's TOR for its proposed Kosovar power project, including a lignite fired coal plant, finding many problems with the analysis. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12552.aspx Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:28:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12552.aspx On September 6, Sara Aviel was nominated to serve as the Alternate Executive Director at the World Bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12551.aspx Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:31:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12551.aspx Read the latest REDD Alert for updates on the R-Package, Carbon Fund and Common Approach, as well as country updates from Africa, Latin America and Asia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12550.aspx Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:53:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12550.aspx The Make Aid Transparent Campaign, launched this summer, is looking to make an impact on the Aid Effectiveness forum in Busan, Korea this November. Please sign their petition calling for governments to make their aid transparent. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12546.aspx Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:08:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12546.aspx This update prepared by the Bank Information Center introduces the FCPF Readiness Package (R-Package) and the Carbon Fund (CF) operational. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12545.aspx Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:21:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12545.aspx The irregularity of the voluntary market of carbon credits is outpacing the environmental and legislative capacity of the country: irregular transfer of millions of hectares of forests as part of the market for carbon credits and other environmental services. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12544.aspx Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:14:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12544.aspx MENA civil society representatives met with the Bank’s new MENA Vice President, Inger Andersen, to discuss Bank-civil society relations in the post-revolution era. The Bank responded positively to civil society’s demands for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development with full civil society participation. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12543.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:46:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12543.aspx BIC/MENA and civil society representatives from across the region engaged World Bank officials at the 2011 Civil Society Policy Forum of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings, drawing commitments to inclusive and equitable development strategies and greater participation for civil society. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12542.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:10:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12542.aspx Civil society representatives from Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon and Tunisia find Executive Director Merza Hasan receptive to their concerns and willing to break new ground in future engagement with civil society. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12541.aspx Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:54:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12541.aspx At the Civil Society Townhall Meeting with World Bank President Robert Zoellick and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, Laila Iskandar, an Egyptian activist and chairperson of the Community and Institutional Development Group eloquently spoke on behalf of global civil society outlining the various CSO concerns which had been brought to her attention. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12540.aspx Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:12:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12540.aspx With goals of achieving greater participation for civil society organizations in World Bank operations alongside a commitment to inclusive and equitable development strategies, BIC/MENA and civil society representatives from Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Yemen among others successfully engaged the Bank at the 2011 Civil Society Policy Forum of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12539.aspx Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12539.aspx The Sierra Club and Bank Information Center are releasing a new report today describing the daily realities of coal impacted communities from Cirebon, Indonesia, the Konkan coast and Kutch India, Inner Mongolia China, Appalachia USA, New South Wales Australia, and Limpopo South Africa. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12537.aspx Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:41:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12537.aspx BIC has joined 106 other signatories on a letter to World Bank President Robert Zoellick requesting the Bank reinvigorate B-SPAN, the institution's webcasting station, with adequate funding. Until 2004, B-SPAN streamed hundreds of Bank policy dialogues, seminars and conferences to global audiences. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12536.aspx Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:53:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12536.aspx Thursday, September 22, 2011 Time: 3:30 – 5:00 World Bank MC C1-200 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12534.aspx Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12534.aspx This piece provides a brief update about the role of the World Bank in post-revolution Tunisia http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12533.aspx Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:08:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12533.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12532.aspx Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:55:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12532.aspx The workshop Oslo REDD Exchange 2011 was organized by Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), on 23-24 June 2011. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12531.aspx Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:35:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12531.aspx Civil society organizations (CSOs) submitted a letter to World Bank President Robert Zoellick on the World Bank safeguards review on August 31, 2011. The letter includes signatories as of this date and organizations who wish to sign the letter can do so below. On Sep 20, 2011 World Bank Managing Director Caroline Anstey responded to this letter. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12530.aspx Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:06:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12530.aspx As the World Bank plans to engage more fully on gender issues, both in the Safeguards review and in the upcoming release of the 2011 World Development Report, CEE Bankwatch has written a guide for CSOs seeking to identify and ameliorate gender-related problems in IFI projects http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12529.aspx Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:03:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12529.aspx It took many years to establish the World Bank's operational policies that safeguard society and the environment, and are some of the world's highest development standards. As the Bank reviews these policies, civil society is organizing efforts to present their concerns and expectations, and offer their imputs as to what the outcome of the review should be. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12528.aspx Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:01:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12528.aspx Read the latest on IFI happenings in India, including an examination of the National Rural Livelihoods Project, as well as recently approved and pipeline projects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12526.aspx Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:31:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12526.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12525.aspx Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:12:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12525.aspx BIC/MENA comments on the string of donors cutting aid to Yemen, including the World Bank which recently stopped disbursing funds to Yemen. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12524.aspx Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:17:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12524.aspx Granting titles to large companies and individuals in national parks and other protected ecosystems is controversial because it was an openly illegal action. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12522.aspx Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:54:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12522.aspx According to the MPF, the evaluation of impacts of hydroelectric plants has been partial and does not reflect the true environmental risks. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12521.aspx Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:32:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12521.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12520.aspx Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:29:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12520.aspx The disimbursement of the funds for the third section of the Villa Tunari-San Ignacio de Moxos highway is now being withheld until the preservation of the ecosystem in the Indigenous Territory in the Isiboro Sécure National Park (TIPNIS) is guaranteed, a commitment by the government of Evo Morales to Brazil. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12519.aspx Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:18:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12519.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12518.aspx Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:42:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12518.aspx Brazilian companies are more interested in entering the Peruvian market and its accumulated investments will likely exceed US$10 billion by 2016. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12517.aspx Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:29:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12517.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12516.aspx Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:24:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12516.aspx With gold’s price soaring globally as the metal became a hedge against financial uncertainty, the army of small-scale miners in the state of Madre de Dios has swelled to some 40,000. The result: Diesel exhaust sullies the air, trees are toppled to get at the sandy, gold-flecked earth and the scars inflicted on the land are visible on satellite photos. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12514.aspx Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:20:31 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12514.aspx Despite high interest rates and high household electricity tariffs, Brazilian economy has been growing at the highest rates seen in decades. Another problem that, although not in the way of growth, must be overcome is the costly use of roads for transporting farm products – issue being addressed by the expansion of railway networks. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12513.aspx Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:44:53 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12513.aspx Read the latest information on World Bank and civil society events organized around the upcoming World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings to be held the week of September 20-25 2011. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12512.aspx Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:43:01 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12512.aspx The lack of free, prior and informed consent to upstream oil and gas operations is at the heart of many social conflicts in the Peruvian Amazon http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12511.aspx Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:57:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12511.aspx Once updated the productivity rates, as required by law, Brazil has experienced a huge expansion of the inventory of properties subject to expropriation. Taking the data from 2010, there are in Brazil, 69 200 large unproductive properties, with an area equivalent to 228.5 million hectares. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12510.aspx Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:54:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12510.aspx The Bank Information Center, World Resources Institute, and the Center for International Environmental Law have prepared a briefing that introduces the World Bank safeguards review which will begin in September 2011. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12509.aspx Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:08:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12509.aspx The IFC's policy updates, approved by the board in May and coming into effect on the first of the upcoming year, have now been released to the public. BIC and partners will be writing an analysis of the gains and gaps in the new policies soon, but we congratulate the IFC on strengthening these vital policies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12508.aspx Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:49:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12508.aspx Michelle Chan, economic policy director for Friends of the Earth, writes that with deficit-mania sweeping Washington, Congressional leaders should be focusing on whether the money put into the World Bank is being well spent. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12507.aspx Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:47:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12507.aspx Read the English and Hindi versions of the newest IF-Eye here, including an examination of the World Bank's shift to energy transmission and distribution, as well as a review of recently approved and pipeline projects http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12506.aspx Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:17:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12506.aspx En COP 15, México se comprometió a reducir sus emisiones de GEI, para lo cual se propuso desarrollar la Estrategia Nacional REDD+ (ENAREDD+). A varios pasos de la preparación para la estrategia, el BM ahora realiza una misión Due Diligence. La gerente del equipo de Latinoamérica, observadora para la misión, nos cuenta más sobre el tema. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12505.aspx Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:27:53 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12505.aspx Indigenous groups vow to march over forest highway plan. Morales is now facing protests from within Indian support base. This situation is an example of the struggle to balance development with cultural identity. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12503.aspx Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:00:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12503.aspx Makatar Diop, the director of Brazil responds to civil society about their inquiry on the transparency of the activity involving DPLs between the World Bank and BNDES. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12502.aspx Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:18:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12502.aspx The project will require an investment of some US$118mn, being financed to the tune of US$103mn by a World Bank loan and US$15mn in counterpart funding by the La Paz government. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12501.aspx Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:45:15 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12501.aspx The Inambari Hydroelectric Complex (2000 MW), will only be a Brazilian enclave within Peru, at the cost of environmental degradation and violation of the rights of communities. Nevertheless, it must be built by the state of Peru alongside other nations in order to sell the energy produced. This investment could be recovered in 2 years. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12500.aspx Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:35:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12500.aspx In 2010, the Brazilian direct investment in Peru was US$1.014 billion, almost triple that in 2009, when it was $492 million . The Chamber of Commerce Peru-Brazil (Capebras) estimated investment to reach $32 billion in 2016. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12499.aspx Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:17:14 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12499.aspx The Peruvian legislature has approved an additional payment to complete the Southern Interoceanic Highway, linking the Andean country with Brazil. The highway is expected to be completed in 2012 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12498.aspx Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:51:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12498.aspx Brazilian chancellor, Antonio Patriota, said in Quito that Brazil will more forward with the project that will conect Manaos in the Brazilian Amazon with Manta on the Pacific Coast of Ecuador, and that will enhance intra-regional commerce, but also between South America and Asia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12497.aspx Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:30:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12497.aspx As an Australian businessman moves into Peru in search of making a profit off of the riches of the Amazonian carbon offsets, critics in Peru fear that he will only exploit the most vulnerable people. There is currently no regulation on this sort of activity due to the lack of international agreement on REDD. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12496.aspx Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:08:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12496.aspx Complaint Raises Serious Concerns with the Project Funded by IFC’s Financial Intermediary. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12495.aspx Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:19:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12495.aspx March 25th 2011 in Dalat, Vietnam, the FCPF Participants Committee approved the 3rd version of Peru’s REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal (RPP). Indigenous peoples’ organisations in Peru led by AIDESEP, have maintained that REDD is a threat to indigenous people until the recognizing and demacrating of outstanding territorial claims. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12494.aspx Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:21:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12494.aspx As Egypt's revolution continues to unfold, potential loans from international financial institutions have stoked intense debates. BIC's Amy Ekdawi writes that the fate of these loans must be contingent on open engagement with Egyptian civil society, not backroom deals. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12493.aspx Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:07:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12493.aspx Ecuadorian authorities will officially inaugurate the first-phase corridor of the bioceanic Manta-Manaos highway. The highway will cost $USD 800 millions to build and has been named Causai Ñanbi (Rita Viva in Quichua). The first load will of around 500 tons of cement, construction pipes, tuna, vegetable oils, fats and soaps. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12492.aspx Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:04:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12492.aspx The proposed Kosovo power project, including a new lignite coal plant, has brought great controversy. The United States government is caught between its stated opposition to new coal-fired plants and support for the Kosovar project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12491.aspx Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:33:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12491.aspx President Evo Morales again accused indigenous leaders —who he says are influenced by European NGOs— of borrowing money for projects like the construction of the Villa Tunari-San Ignacio de Moxos highway, which cuts through the TIPNIS. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12489.aspx Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:23:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12489.aspx This CSO statement was issued at PC9 following the approval of the common approach. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12487.aspx Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:27:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12487.aspx A new World Bank study conducted by the Independent Evaluation Group find offset sales are not working and suggests five solutions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12486.aspx Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12486.aspx If women had adequate representation in forestry institutions, would it make a difference to them, their communities and forests as a national resource? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12485.aspx Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12485.aspx It seems that the Government has forgotten its commitment to the environment when in January of 2011, it enacted the Emergency Decree No. 001-2011 to eliminate environmental impact certificates to approve 33 projects for investment. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12484.aspx Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12484.aspx Read the latest REDD Alert for updates on the 8th Meeting of the FCPF Participants Committee, taking place next week in Da Lat, Vietnam. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12483.aspx Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12483.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12482.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:41:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12482.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12481.aspx Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12481.aspx A new Greenpeace report Bad Influence has revealed how advice given by global consultancy firm McKinsey to national governments could lead to an increase in the destructive logging it is intended to prevent. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12480.aspx Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12480.aspx A new Greenpeace report Bad Influence has revealed how advice given by global consultancy firm McKinsey to national governments could lead to an increase in the destructive logging it is intended to prevent. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12479.aspx Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12479.aspx BIC recently attended the eighth meeting of the FCPF Participants Committee in our role as the NGO observer. Presented here is a summary of the proceedings. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12478.aspx Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12478.aspx BIC recently attended the eighth meeting of the FCPF Participants Committee in our role as the NGO observer. Presented here is a summary of the proceedings. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12477.aspx Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12477.aspx Gold-hungry Peruvian miners are eroding the country's portion of the Amazon rainforest at an alarming rate, according to a new study. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12476.aspx Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12476.aspx Gold-hungry Peruvian miners are eroding the country's portion of the Amazon rainforest at an alarming rate, according to a new study. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12475.aspx Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12475.aspx The document presents guidance on the key elements of effective stakeholder engagement in the context of REDD+ readiness for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and the UN-REDD Programme. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12474.aspx Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12474.aspx The document presents guidance on the key elements of effective stakeholder engagement in the context of REDD+ readiness for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and the UN-REDD Programme. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12473.aspx Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12473.aspx The Bank Information Center and Forest Peoples Programme have provided comments on the Revised R-PP Template, SESA and ESMF Guidelines. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12472.aspx Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12472.aspx The Bank Information Center and Forest Peoples Programme have provided comments on the Revised R-PP Template, SESA and ESMF Guidelines. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12471.aspx Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12471.aspx This report from the Bank Information Center as NGO Observer summarizes the main discussions and outcomes from PC9 in Oslo, Norway. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12470.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:47:14 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12470.aspx This report from the Bank Information Center as NGO Observer summarizes the main discussions and outcomes from PC9 in Oslo, Norway. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12469.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:39:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12469.aspx This report from the Bank Information Center as NGO Observer summarizes the main discussions and outcomes from PC9 in Oslo, Norway. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12468.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:37:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12468.aspx At the same time it is funding a dam that will devastate indigenous lands and block the Xingu River, Brazil's National Development Bank (BNDES) may allocate some $14.3 million (BRL 22.3 million) in grants for projects developed within the Kayapo indigenous lands, reports Conservation International. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12467.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:05:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12467.aspx The BNDES’s preposterous involvement in the corporate dispute between French multinationals over the Pão-de-Açúcar supermarket chain shows that the state-owned bank has strayed far from its original mission. What exactly is the BNDES’s role nowadays? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12466.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:07:01 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12466.aspx Three civil society groups have filed a complaint with the World Bank's Inspection Panel regarding the Bank's studies for the Red Sea - Dead Sea Water Conveyance project that aims to divert water to the Dead Sea, which has been shrinking for years. The Requesters argue that the World Bank should be considering other alternatives which are less socially and environmentally harmful and that Palestinian civil society was not given the opportunity to participate adequately in the consultation process. Read the press release which was put out by the Requesters in July 2011. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12465.aspx Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12465.aspx