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lawatleeds.bsky.social
An excellent analysis of the IMF's stocktake on sovereign debt, in the #BWObserver @brettonwoodsproject.org

@cblpleeds.bsky.social

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kpatricio.bsky.social Karina Patrício @kpatricio.bsky.social · Dec 11
I am pleased to publish this new BWP Observer piece with Celine Tan and Stephen Connelly, engaging constructively with the IMF’s 2025 stocktake on sovereign debt. We argue that different legislative approaches cannot be treated as equivalent.

Read here: www.brettonwoodsproject.org/2025/12/legi...
Legislative pathways to sovereign debt relief: What the IMF gets wrong – and how to fix it
New report from IMF on resolving debt restructuring linked to private creditors conflates fundamentally different legislative proposals, leading to flawed analysis.
www.brettonwoodsproject.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:09 AM
mariafinnerty.bsky.social
My piece for @brettonwoodsproject.org #BWObserver @cafod.bsky.social:

"The UK can demonstrate that true superpower status in the modern age can be measured by the fairness of the systems we uphold, placing Britain at the centre of sustainable financing."

www.brettonwoodsproject.org/2026/04/brit...
www.brettonwoodsproject.org
April 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM
brettonwoodsproject.org
New Guest Comment by @kpatricio.bsky.social, Celine Tan and Stephen Connelly sets the record straight on new proposed UK legislation to provide debt relief to developing countries, calling the IMF recent analysis of the proposal “misplaced”

#BWObserver Winter25
🔗 tinyurl.com/DebtReliefUK
Legislative pathways to sovereign debt relief: What the IMF gets wrong – and how to fix it
New report from IMF on resolving debt restructuring linked to private creditors may lead to flawed analysis.
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:13 PM
brettonwoodsproject.org
Despite escalating economic costs of climate impacts and primacy of greentech in geopolitical tensions, US insists climate not ‘core’ to IMF’s work – potentially deepening the Fund’s crisis of legitimacy

More in our #BWObserver Autumn 25👉 tinyurl.com/IMFClimateFu...

@re-course.org
Future of IMF’s climate work uncertain, as climate crisis intensifies
US hostility to IMF’s climate work risks further exacerbating macroeconomic fallout from climate crisis.
tinyurl.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
#BWObserver Winter 2025 dives into the unresolved sovereign debt crisis, governance imbalances at the World Bank and IMF, and the mounting scrutiny around private-finance-led development and climate action.

Check in out 🔗 tinyurl.com/BWObserverWi...
Winter 2025
This issue spotlights how today’s architecture continues to fail developing countries despite renewed momentum for reform at the UN’s FfD4 conference. It explores mounting calls for fairer IMF and…
tinyurl.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:14 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
New in #BWObserver Autumn25: Protests erupt in Angola as government, at behest of IMF and World Bank, cuts fuel subsidies amid high debt and tight fiscal space.

🔗 tinyurl.com/AngolaProtests

@re-course.org @powershiftafrica.bsky.social @westafricaweekly.bsky.social
Mass protests erupt in Angola following IMF-backed fuel subsidy removals
Civil society warns that without wider debt relief removing consumer subsidies simply shifts the burden onto the poor.
tinyurl.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
brettonwoodsproject.org
The IMF Independent Evaluation Office has released its report on the Fund’s fiscal policy advice which finds significant shortcomings and calls for concrete improvements in the ongoing surveillance review #CivilSociety #IMFMeetings #BWObserver

🔗 tinyurl.com/IEOFiscalPol...
IEO’s fiscal policy evaluation highlights serious flaws in IMF surveillance
IEO’s new fiscal policy evaluation identifies flaws that strengthens CSO calls for mandatory distributional, climate and gender impact assessments.
tinyurl.com
April 16, 2026 at 10:37 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
WorldBank establishes task force to consider merger of CAO office and WorldBank IAM #independent #accountability #mechanism amid concerns of retrogression in accountability and civic space. More IN OUR #BWObserver Winter 25 👇

tinyurl.com/IAMsMerge
World Bank establishes task force to evaluate merger of its independent accountability mechanisms
Task force is expected to hold public consultations and establish a ‘reference group’ early in 2026.
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
New in #BWObserver Winter25: #COP30 agrees promising Just Transition Work Programme, as Global South unions reject
World Bank’s #BillionsToTrillions approach to clean energy transition #Baku2Belem

🔗 tinyurl.com/COP30MDBs
Call for just transition becomes COP30 rallying cry, as doubts remain over MDBs’ growing climate finance role
Global South unions call for ‘clean break’ with World Bank’s ‘billions to trillions’ approach in the energy sector.
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
brettonwoodsproject.org
In our new At Issue briefing, Prof C. P. Chandrasekhar argues that the US’s tariff war risks worsening the macroeconomic outlook in the Global South – and creating a crisis of legitimacy for the IMF🔥

See more in #BWObserver Autumn25
👉 tinyurl.com/TrumpTariffs...
The Bretton Woods twins and the Trump tariffs: Implications for the Global South
The US’s decision to forsake core tenets of neoliberalism potentially deepens IMF’s crisis of legitimacy.
tinyurl.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:36 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
🚨Now out #BWObserver Spring 2026

CSOs raise concerns about the WorldBank's controversial role in the US-led Board of Peace, together with questions on accountability, rising debt pressures and IMF's austerity, and unequal development models shaping the global economy.

🔗 tinyurl.com/BWObserverSp...
Spring 2026
This issue highlights how the World Bank’s role in US-led Board of Peace sparks concerns over politicisation, weakened UN authority, and accountability gaps, as well as debates around IMF fiscal…
tinyurl.com
April 8, 2026 at 10:29 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
NEW #BWObserver Winter 2025! ❄️

We unpack rising sovereign debt pressures, what FfD4 actually delivered, fresh scrutiny of IMF data, World Bank shareholding reform debates, legislatures’ role in debt workouts, and the macro impact of extreme wealth concentration.
🔗 tinyurl.com/ObserverWinter25
Winter 2025
This issue spotlights how today’s architecture continues to fail developing countries despite renewed momentum for reform at the UN’s FfD4 conference. It explores mounting calls for fairer IMF and…
tinyurl.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
brettonwoodsproject.org
People take the streets in Ecuador following #IMF backed austerity, including diesel subsidy

Read more in #BWObserver Winter 25: tinyurl.com/EcuadorProte...
Indigenous communities lead protests in Ecuador over IMF-prescribed austerity
Mass protests erupt in Ecuador after right-wing President Daniel Noboa implements harsh austerity measures in line with IMF demands.
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:54 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
New in #BWObserver Autumn 25: World Bank’s 2020-25 #FragilityConflict&Violence strategy nears end yet #civilsociety still await news of public consultation timeline

tinyurl.com/FCVReview
Civil society awaits Bank’s Fragility, Conflict & Violence strategy consultation opportunity
Despite Bank’s existing FCV strategy expiring this year, civil society still await announcement of public consultation on its replacement.
tinyurl.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:44 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
With release of Venezuela’s $4.6 billion in #SDRs hinging on the IMF's recognition of state authorities, CSOs call for their release and entirely sovereign use.

More in our #BWObserver Spring 26 👇
tinyurl.com/VenzuelaSDRs
Venezuela, the IMF and Trump’s ‘Monroe doctrine 2.0’
With release of Venezuela’s $4.6 billion in SDRs hinging on the IMF’s recognition of state authorities, CSOs call for their release and entirely sovereign use.
tinyurl.com
April 28, 2026 at 10:49 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
While donors cut ODA, shifting “from donor to investor”, the World Bank Group & IMF continue to root development on private capital mobilisation, a model that deepens debt and impact essential human development outcomes

More in #BWObserver Spring 2026:
🔗 tinyurl.com/DonorInvestor
From donor to investor: The dangers of the development paradigm shift
As significant cuts to ODA are made, a narrative shift by rich donor countries attempts to detract attention from reduced spending.
tinyurl.com
April 20, 2026 at 8:53 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
IMF and World Bank continue to support policies that contribute to democratic backsliding and rise of populism and authoritarianism amid crisis of multilateralism #UNGA80

See the cover piece of our #BWObserver Autumn25 🔍

tinyurl.com/AusterityPop...
Fuelling authoritarianism: The role of the Fund and Bank in eroding the social contract
BWIs’ policies continue to contribute to the rise of populism, authoritarianism and backlash against multilateralism despite the institutions’ long-standing concerns and rhetorical support for reform.
tinyurl.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:43 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
New Economics Foundation's research demonstrates that extreme wealth is a macro-risk. IMF's surveillance should analyse extreme wealth and mitigate against its harmful effects as part of its economic sustainability framework #ComprehensiveSurveillanceReview #BWObserver

tinyurl.com/ExtremeWealt...
IMF’s economic sustainability analyses fail to consider extreme wealth as macro-risk and address harms
New research by New Economics Foundation demonstrates extreme wealth is a macro-risk, yet this is excluded from IMF bilateral surveillance analyses.
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:30 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
The debt system is broken. #FfD4 revived momentum for fair rules, but private creditors—the biggest players—remain unbound. Jubilee’s call for justice and cancellation is far from over. #DebtCrisis #Jubilee

Read our #BWObserver Winter 2025 cover piece: tinyurl.com/DebtCover
As Jubilee year draws to a close, debt crisis remains unresolved
With debt distress rising worldwide, the current debt architecture continues to prioritise creditors over people as Jubilee-inspired movements push for genuine cancellation, fair restructuring and rul...
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
brettonwoodsproject.org
Featured in the cover piece of our #BWObserver Spring 2026👉Banga’s decision to join Trump-led Board of Peace raises questions about the World Bank's commitment to multilateralism.

tinyurl.com/WBGBoardOfPe...
Banga’s decision to join Board of Peace raises questions about World Bank’s commitment to multilateralism
Bank’s role as trustee for Board of Peace’s Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund, and Banga’s involvement in board, condemned by civil society.
tinyurl.com
April 21, 2026 at 8:41 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
WorldBankGroup and other MDB shareholders must show political will and support #LocalCurrencyLending as “Billions to Trillions” fails to materialise and #JustTransition challenges mount.

See more in our #BWObserver Spring 2026👇

www.brettonwoodsproject.org/2026/04/miti...
Mitigating currency mismatch in development finance: MDBs and local currency lending
MDBs must consider local currency lending a central pillar of their development mandate.
www.brettonwoodsproject.org
April 17, 2026 at 10:42 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
UK 2027 #G20 Presidency has real power to reform global debt & tax rules. A fairer financial system that unlocks resources for poorer countries & strengthen stability and resilience at home.

Read @mariafinnerty.bsky.social (@cafod.bsky.social) analysis in #BWObserver Spring 2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/UKG20
Britain as a global financial superpower: The UK’s 2027 G20 Presidency is a historic opportunity to fix the system
UK’s 2027 G20 Presidency offers a rare chance to fix systemic imbalances at little cost.
tinyurl.com
April 15, 2026 at 8:39 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
New comment by Rafaela Venturella & Bruno Schreiner for #BWObserver Spring 2026 argues international financial architecture design has limited @UN’s ability to influence financial policy, leaving Global South hostage to damaging neoliberal policies

🔗 tinyurl.com/CommentSprin...
Global governance and development: Toward equitable burden sharing and agenda-setting
Global governance has kept the UN out of financial policy decision-making and norm-setting, leaving Global South countries hostage to the damaging consequences of BWIs neoliberal policies.
tinyurl.com
April 13, 2026 at 2:25 PM
brettonwoodsproject.org
With climate shocks like Cyclone Ditwah and war in Iran hitting debt-laiden economies such as Sri Lanka – now under its 17th IMF programme – it's clearer than ever that debt cancellation is urgently needed

Read more in our #BWObserver Spring 26👇

www.brettonwoodsproject.org/2026/04/civi...
Civil society calls for debt cancellation and end to IMF-mandated austerity as cyclone devastates Sri Lanka
With Cyclone Ditwah and war in Iran hitting debt laiden Sri Lanka, civil society calls for urgent debt cancellation.
www.brettonwoodsproject.org
April 10, 2026 at 10:44 AM
brettonwoodsproject.org
Recently disclosed elevated debt levels in Senegal raises questions about the IMF's oversight of its lending programmes, with CSOs claiming this is just “the type of the iceberg”.

Read more in our new #BWObserver Winter 2025
🔗 tinyurl.com/SenegalDebt
Electoral parade of the Pastef party of Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Dakar, Senegal, 15 March 2024. Photo: Pierre Laborde / Shutterstock
December 12, 2025 at 9:38 AM