IDA 15: PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!
By Jeff Powell, Coordinator, Bretton Woods Project
Every three years the rich countries get embroiled in a lengthy series of meetings deciding how much to give to the World Bank's pot of money for poor countries. In World Bank-speak, this year's exercise is known as the "IDA 15 replenishment" The power of the purse means that this provides one of the few opportunities for those with a chair at the table to try to influence the Bank's policies and operations.
Until recently, the poor countries themselves have had no say in the process. During the last round, several poor countries had 'observer status'. At the time of writing, it was unclear which poor countries would be allowed in as 'observers' this year; but what is clear is that a transparent, systematic procedure for their participation is urgently needed.
As we head towards the opening meeting in Paris in early March, every issue under the development sun is on the table for discussion. Often these are disguised under broad, opaque headings like 'aid effectiveness' or 'international financial architecture'. Pick your favourite issue, and for sure you'll be able to fit it under at least one of such headings!
By the time of the second meeting in Mozambique in June, the countries will have had to choose five 'special themes'. Two issues are key priorities for NGOs. The first is that steps already taken towards reducing the use of conditionality be locked in and requirements for further progress outlined. The second is a call for the Bank to phase-out support for oil, gas and coal - the urgency of the climate change problem demands that we stop using scarce public resources to subsidise multinational oil firms.
The stakes are high - without progress on this agenda, many organisations will be calling for European countries to consider cutting back support to the Bank, and channelling it instead through agencies which take both developing country ownership and climate change seriously. Click here to go to the World Bank Campaign Europe Website.