Brookings: Topics - World Bank

Foreign Policy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:23:32 GMT

The U.S. and the international community face great challenges in the 21st century—globalization offers more freedom and prosperity, but also new threats to our security. The Foreign Policy Studies scholars and research help policymakers and the public address these crucial issues.

Global Economy and Development

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:49:38 GMT

The Zedillo Commission Report on World Bank Reform: A Stepping Stone for the G-20 Summits in 2010

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Johannes Linn comments on the final report issued in October 2009 by the High-Level Commission on Modernization of World Bank Group Governance. He reviews key recommendations and examines reform challenges the World Bank faces moving forward.

The G-20, the "Istanbul Decisions" and the Way Forward

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The fall global economic agenda is well underway with the completion of the G-20 Pittsburgh Summit and the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Istanbul. Kemal Derviş discusses the key themes coming out of these “historic” meetings, highlighting the essential roles of both the informal and formal channels of global economic governance and the way forward after the crisis.

Growth After the Storm? A Longer Run Perspective on the Global Economy

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

During a lecture at the IMF-World Bank 2009 Annual Meetings, Kemal Derviş discussed global growth prospects following the economic crisis and the role that supply side factors and macroeconomic management can play.

The 0.85 Percent Solution for Low-Income Countries

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A topic of discussion at previous G-20 summits, IBRD resources are central to helping poor countries survive this economic crisis. Homi Kharas discusses the importance of making IBRD resources much more widely available to promote development and urges G-20 leaders to continue talks about this issue at the summit in Pittsburgh.

The G20 and Political Capital for the International Financial Institutions

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Discounted by many observers only a year ago, the International Financial Instiutions (IFIs) have been bolstered by support of the G20 process. Domenico Lombardi discusses how the G20 can be used as catalyst for reform within international finance.

Reform the IMF and World Bank

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Reform of the IMF and World Bank is one of the tasks for the G-20 Summit in London. Johannes Linn suggests steps for critical action to help ensure early recovery from the current global financial crisis and the future capabilities of these institutions.

The G-20 London Summit 2009

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Leaders of the Group of 20 (G-20) countries met in London on April 2 for their second summit on the global financial crisis. In a new set of articles, Brookings experts addressed the critical issues for policy-makers and offered guidelines for more effective global coordination.

Back to the Future: The Reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions and the Harry White Method

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Will the G-20 be able to offer recommendations for the outdated governance systems of the IMF and the World Bank? Domenico Lombardi suggests a focus on the Bretton Woods model could provide the needed guidance.

World Bank Reform: Proposals for the Next G-20 Summit

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The April 2, 2009 G-20 Summit should focus on easing the impact of the global financial crisis—particularly on the world’s poor. Leading up to the summit, Johannes Linn lists recommendations for critical World Bank reform so that the global institution can aid the developing world during this time of crisis.

The Financial Crisis, a Development Emergency, and the Need for Aid

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Affected by the financial crisis, the world’s poorest countries are facing a development emergency. Cutbacks in foreign aid and devalued currencies are wiping out aid contributions that supply the world’s poor with basic necessities—food, education, and healthcare. Billions of aid dollars are sitting in Washington, ready for disbursement but hindered by bureaucracy. Homi Kharas outlines steps to accelerate the disbursement of this aid so that poor countries can receive the help they need.

International Financial Governance: Toward the London G-20 Summit

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 09, 2009, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

In advance of the April G-20 leaders' summit in London, Brookings organized a high-level seminar with the British government and relevant experts to discuss and debate the most critical issues for the summit meeting. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made introductory remarks at the session, calling for a "bold leap forward" to prevent future financial crises, and noted that the IMF and World Bank need to change their roles post-crisis.

Daniel Kaufmann, Leading Expert on Governance and Development, Joins Brookings

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:36:18 GMT

Daniel Kaufmann, a leading expert, researcher and adviser on governance and development, has joined Brookings as a senior fellow, Brookings President Strobe Talbott announced January 14, 2009.

Intelligent Design: How to Change America

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William Galston examines what’s wrong with our current political institutions, given the current financial crisis and lack of coherent governance, and proposes how to create a better government.

Global Governance Breakthrough: The G20 Summit and the Future Agenda

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada, and Senior Fellows Colin Bradford and Johannes Linn assess the successful G20 Summit, its impact on global governance and provide recommendations for President-elect Obama. They argue that the next administration can build an inclusive and cooperative summit group to resolve the current financial and economic crisis as well as address other major complex global challenges and opportunities.

Building a Better Global Financial System

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As G-20 leaders prepared to meet in November, many called for a “Bretton Woods II” as the next step toward preventing future financial meltdowns. Lex Rieffel argues that this proposal is problematic because it lumps the World Bank with the IMF and argues for a strengthened IMF.

International Cooperation for Prudential Oversight of Finance: Which Institutions? Which Countries?

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

World leaders are gathering this weekend at the G-20 summit in Washington to discuss the global economic and financial crisis. In the first of his two pieces, Ralph Bryant lays out general principles for international cooperation in the supervision and regulation of financial activity. In the second piece, he identifies difficult challenges confronting the participating countries and the international institutions—such as the IMF, the Bank for International Settlements and the Financial Stability Forum—that will be the locus of cooperative efforts.

Prudential Oversight of Finance: First Principles for International Cooperation

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

World leaders gathered at the G-20 summit in Washington to discuss the global economic and financial crisis. In the first of his two pieces, Ralph Bryant lays out general principles for international cooperation in the supervision and regulation of financial activity. In the second piece, he identifies difficult challenges confronting the participating countries and the international institutions—such as the IMF, the Bank for International Settlements and the Financial Stability Forum—that will be the locus of cooperative efforts.

The G-20 Summit: Could the Financial Crisis Push Global Governance Reform?

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President Bush recently announced that he has invited the G-20, or the heads of state from the top 20 industrialized and developing economies, to join an economic summit in Washington on November 15. According to Johannes Linn and Colin Bradford, inviting the full G-20 to discuss the current global financial crisis represents a critical step in reforming financial and economic stability, relations and institutions.

Top 10 Global Economic Challenges Facing America's 44th President

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As President-Elect Obama prepares to lead the United States, what are the top global economic challenges facing the new president and his advisors and how should the new administration address them? A new report by Brookings global economic and development experts ranks the top 10 issues and details specific ideas for how to tackle the toughest challenges.

Global Perspectives on the U.S. Financial Crisis

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 10, 2008, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

What’s next for the global financial markets? Brookings hosted a discussion on the global implications of the U.S. financial crisis, featuring the Honorable Wayne Swan, MP, Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia, and projections by Brookings experts on the future of emerging and financial markets.

Reform the IMF or Create a New Global Agency, But Do Something

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In advance of the G8 finance ministers meeting and the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank, Colin Bradford and Johannes Linn stress the need for financial leaders to seek a more vigorous role for the IMF in the global financial crisis and urge leaders to create a new agency to help deal with the urgent challenges if the IMF cannot take the leading role.

The IMF and the World Bank: A Case for Separating the Conjoined Twins

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In advance of the annual meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in Washington, Lex Rieffel asserts that both institutions, which were created in 1944 to be at the center of a sound and dynamic international financial system, have overlapping responsibilities and antiquated governance structures that have undermined their legitimacy. In this policy brief, Rieffel offers steps to visibly differentiate the two institutions and improve their effectiveness, including moving the headquarters of the World Bank to Europe.

The IMF and the World Bank: It's Time to Separate the Conjoined Twins

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sixty years following the creation of the IMF and the World Bank, the nature of global financial, emerging markets and poverty aid has changed dramatically. Lex Rieffel argues that if the institutions were to be created today they would be structured differently and located outside of Washington. His case and recommendations for reform are contained in a new working paper.

Tools to Improve the Quality of Public Expenditures and the Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Process

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT

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June 19, 2008, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Over the past 30 years, the World Bank and IMF have developed a variety of tools to analyze public spending policies. With the development in low- and middle-income countries of democratic institutions and civil society organizations like think tanks and advocacy groups, we may soon be at a tipping point at which use of these tools along with domestic advocacy pushes countries to stronger reform agendas. On June 19, the Transparency and Accountability Project (TAP) hosted a forum that brings these elements together.

Trust the Development Experts – All 7 Billion

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The recent report by the Growth Commission addresses critical questions about how developing countries might achieve and sustain high growth rates. In a recent op-ed, Visiting Fellow Bill Easterly discusses why the report represents the final collapse of the “development expert” paradigm while outlining reasons why there is still hope for development.

Urbanization and Growth: Some Practical Implications of the Growth Commission’s Findings

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Today, half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. As the global population continues to increase in the next 20 years, cities of developing countries will face the greatest population growth. Following the findings from the Commission on Growth and Development’s recent report, Johannes Linn provides practical recommendations so that governments, aid agencies, and academia can develop specific policies to help developing countries meet the challenges and opportunities of urbanization.

Growth through Scaling Up: Some Practical Implications of The Growth Report

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Commission on Growth and Development’s report recognizes the most sensible strategy to implement development programs is “learning-by-doing” or an experimental approach. In addition to this strategy, Johannes Linn and Homi Kharas push for strong evaluation and implementation in order to scale-up and expand successful development interventions over time. Through stated recommendations, Linn and Kharas encourage policymakers and aid agencies to replicate successful programs so that economic growth can be achieved.

The Spring Meetings and the Global Economy

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Missing from the recent IMF-World Bank ministerial meetings was an understanding that policy development needs to be an interactive process, one that includes financial officials and law makers. Colin Bradford advises the world's legislators must be brought into the conversation about global development in order for these discussions to evolve into successful action.

The New Philanthropy and Development Aid

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings made recent headlines, the Global Philanthropy Forum, gathering top private aid donors, fell in the shadows. These private aid donors will likely give more aid to the world’s poor this year than the institutions that convened the Spring Meetings. Raj Desai and Homi Kharas compare these two events and discuss how private aid can help to relieve global poverty.

A Vision for the Future IMF and the Nature of Power within It

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 18, 2008, 12:00 PM to 12:00

On January 18, 2008, Brookings and CIGI hosted a governance seminar where they explored the concept of soft power reform within the IMF.

Improving Government Expenditure Performance: World Bank Experiences, Roundtable of Country Directors

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT

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January 14, 2008, 12:00 PM to 12:00

The Transparency and Accountability Project hosted Peter Harrold and Jane Armitage, Country Directors from the World Bank, to examine the major governance issues, successful reforms and fiduciary challenges facing governments in the regions from the perspective of World Bank staff who work closely with developing country leaders.

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in Middle East and North Africa: World Bank Experiences

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:00:00 GMT

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December 13, 2007, 12:00 PM to 12:00

The Transparency and Accountability Project hosted Bob Beschel and Nadir Mohammed from the World Bank’s Middle East and North Africa team to examine the major governance issues, successful reforms and fiduciary challenges facing governments in the region from the perspective of World Bank staff who work closely with developing country leaders.

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in South Asia: World Bank Experiences

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:00:00 GMT

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December 06, 2007, 12:00 PM to 12:00

The Transparency and Accountability Project hosted Barbara Kafka and Ed Campos from the World Bank’s South Asia team to examine the major governance issues, successful reforms and fiduciary challenges facing governments in the region from the perspective of World Bank staff who work closely with developing country leaders.

Central Asia: A New Hub of Global Integration

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Central Asia, once viewed as the backyard of the Soviet Union, is now Eurasia's hub of economic integration. Johannes Linn, Brookings Scholar and Special Adviser to the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC), explains what a recent spate of high-level meetings mean for the future of Central Asia, Eurasia and the rest of the world.

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in East Asia and Pacific: World Bank Experiences

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:00:00 GMT

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November 15, 2007, 12:00 PM to 12:00

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in Latin America and the Caribbean: World Bank Experiences

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 30, 2007, 12:00 PM to

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in Africa: World Bank Experiences

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 23, 2007, 12:30 PM to 2:30

The World Bank’s Africa team examined the major governance issues, successful reforms and fiduciary challenges facing governments in the region from the perspective of World Bank staff who work closely with developing country leaders.

Why the Next President Should Care About the World Bank and the IMF

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Lex Rieffel explains why the presidential candidates should care about the World Bank and the IMF.

Reform of Global Governance: Priorities for Action

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Governance reform was high on the agenda at the recent World Bank/IMF Annual Meeting in Washington. Brookings experts Colin Bradford and Johannes Linn examine priorities for reform at both institutions and other global organizations in a new Policy Brief.

The World Bank at a Crossroads

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:00:00 GMT

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October 11, 2007, 11:00 AM to 1:00:00 PM

Brookings and Transparency International/USA hosted a discussion with former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, head of the recently published Independent Panel Review, providing new recommendations for the World Bank and other development organizations in implementing governance reform.

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: World Bank Experiences

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 09, 2007, 12:00 PM to 2:30

The World Bank’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia team examined the major governance issues, successful reforms and fiduciary challenges facing governments in the region from the perspective of World Bank staff who work closely with developing country leaders.

The Fight Against Global Poverty and Inequality: The World Bank's Approach to Core Labor Standards and Employment Creation

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Don't Bank on the Asian Development Bank

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Given the emergence of Asia as a development success story, William Easterly warns, the Asian Development Bank must change or die.

Why We Need the World Bank

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Colin I. Bradford, The Guardian Unlimited (7/2/07)

Former Trade Representative Nominated to Head World Bank

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Interivew by Kenneth Rogoff, Online NewsHour (5/30/07)

Wolfowitz out, Zoellick in

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Interview by Colin I. Bradford, American Public Media's Marketplace (5/30/07)

Revitalizing America's Foreign Aid Regime

Tue, 29 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Both Mr. Tobias and Mr. Wolfowitz came to symbolize similar problems with the current administration's approach to international development. President Bush can reverse these perceptions by establishing an independent executive agency to integrate the bewildering number of foreign aid programs into a coherent, focused cabinet department.

The World Needs a Stronger World Bank

Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, The International Herald Tribune (5/25/07)

How the World Can Save the Bank

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Paul Blustein (05/18/07)

World Bank Leadership: What Next?

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Ralph C. Bryant (04/27/07)

Wolfowitz Case Offers Test of Multilateralism

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Interview by Kenneth Rogoff, NPR's All Things Considered (4/23/07)

Wolfowitz and the World Bank at Bay

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Kenneth Rogoff, Chicago Tribune (4/23/07)

The Way Forward for Global Financial Policy

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Kenneth Rogoff, Project Syndicate (4/13/07)

Don't Rush to Reform the Fund (and the Bank)

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lex Rieffel, The Examiner (3/23/06)

The World Bank and the Middle Income Countries

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The World Bank's role in middle income developing countries needs to change. Not to end lending to them, or adopt the other proposals from extremists on the right or left. But rather to modernize both what the Bank does and how it does it, so as to respond more effectively to the changed circumstances, needs, and preferences of this group of countries.

Don't Let U.S. Politics Affect World's Poor Through World Bank Manipulation

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Carol Graham, Christian Science Monitor (3/28/05)

Fighting World Poverty a Worthy Second-term Goal

Sun, 19 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Strobe Talbott, San Francisco Chronicle (12/19/04)

The Role of World Bank Lending in Middle Income Countries

Mon, 04 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Comments by Johannes F. Linn, OED Conference on the Effectiveness of Policies and Reforms (10/4/04)

The Future of State-Owned Financial Institutions

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Conference Report #18 by Gerard Caprio, Jonathan Fiechter, Robert E. Litan and Michael Pomerleano. (September 2004)

Unelected Government: Making the IMF and the World Bank More Accountable

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Accused of being secretive, unaccountable, and ineffective, both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are seeking to become more transparent, more participatory, and more accountable. Brookings Review article by Ngaire Woods.

Educate Them All

Sat, 20 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Gene Sperling, Visiting Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in the Washington Post, April 20, 2002

America and Multilateralism: Why George W. Bush is No Different

Thu, 26 Jul 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Justin Vaisse discusses America's recent and past trends towards unilaterialism.

Open Doors: Foreign Participation in Financial Systems in Developing Countries

Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Conference Report #6, by Robert E. Litan, Paul Masson, and Michael Pomerleano (June 2001)

A World Bank Vaccine Commitment

Tue, 01 May 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #57, by Rachel Glennerster and Michael Kremer (May 2000)