Eurodad Director Jean Saldanha looks forward to the challenges and solutions in 2023.
News & Analysis
News and analysis on complex policy issues by experts in their field.
Small Island Developing States drowning in debt and climate emergencies
This week, CSOs, academics and policymakers met in Grenada to discuss the challenges that climate change and debt pose for the Caribbean region.
- Debt Justice
- IFIs
Analysis: World Bank and IMF failure to address the global polycrisis makes systemic reform even more urgent
Last week’s meetings proved yet again that without fundamental reform to how both the World Bank and IMF are governed, and how they ultimately operate, the same mistakes will be repeated again and again. And that is unacceptable.
- Development Finance
- IFIs
Join Eurodad and partners at the WBG-IMF Annual Meetings
Join Eurodad and partners at the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF), that will be held in-person in Washington, DC, alongside the WBG-IMF Annual Meetings 2022
- Climate Finance
- IFIs
CSOs call on G7 to bring an end to the IMF's harmful surcharge policy
IMF surcharges are a system of fees on loans from this institution which places an unfair burden on vulnerable countries that are in need of financial support.
- Debt Justice
- IFIs
A look back at Eurodad Conference 2022
After two years of meeting online and three since we last met in person as a network, we came together in Brussels last week for our 2022 conference “Reboot the system: Defining joint strategies for economic justice”.
- Climate Finance
- Global Processes
Eurodad at the 2022 UN ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum
Eurodad and partners represented Civil Society at this year's UN ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum in New York.
- Development Finance
- Global Processes
CSO letter on the worsening of debt distress in low- and middle-income countries and the role of the private sector
A coalition of 34 CSOs expressed their concerns regarding the rapidly worsening of debt distress and fiscal conditions in many low- and middle-income countries. Meanwhile citizens are facing inflationary pressures as well as the ongoing impact of Covid-19, the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis. This letter was sent to the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, the Indonesian presidency Finance Minister Sri Mulyani and Central Bank Governor Perry Warjiyo, the European Commission, the G24, the South Centre and the UN Secretary General.
- Debt Justice
Join Eurodad and partners at the WBG/ IMF Spring Meetings
Join Eurodad and partners at the Civil Society Policy Forum and World Bank Group - International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings this April.
- Development Finance
- IFIs
Infogram: Ghana and the debt crisis
Ghana passed quickly from being the poster child economy for West Africa to being one step away from losing its access to international capital markets.
- Debt Justice
- Covid-19
G20 buries its head in the sand amidst increasing calls for action on sovereign debt
Last week, G20 Finance Ministers failed to act on calls to enhance the Common Framework. In this article we look at the trends and risks regarding sovereign debt that the G20 seem to be ignoring and we believe will need close attention in the coming months.
This article was originally published on 16 February and updated on 24 February.
- Debt Justice
- IFIs
A guide to IMF surcharges
IMF surcharges are a system of fees on loans from this institution which places an unfair burden on vulnerable countries that are in need of financial support. This guide explores how IMF surcharges work and provides an overview of the costs they impose on IMF borrowing at the global and country level. The large costs associated with surcharges are unjustified in the current global health crisis.
- Debt Justice
- IMF
Join Eurodad's Policy Forum 2021
Join Eurodad at the virtual Policy Forum 2021 taking place from 22 to 25 November.
- Climate Finance
Inaction and wishful thinking: G20 summit shows why we must go back to true multilateralism
G20 leaders met in Rome last weekend (30 and 31 October) to address what they termed “today’s most pressing global challenges”. In the end they took no meaningful new decisions. The photo opportunity with G20 leaders throwing a coin into the Trevi fountain was a potent symbol of what the Summit turned out to be: wishful thinking without any action.
- Climate Finance
- Global Processes
Making sense of Belize's Blue Bond Proposal
Lauded by its proponents as a “ground-breaking” and “innovative approach,” the proposal raises concerns upon closer review and is likely to turn into a costly missed opportunity for everyone involved.
- Debt Justice
- Covid-19
Join Eurodad and partners at the WBG/ IMF Annual Meetings
Join Eurodad and partners at the World Bank Group - International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings this October
- Development Finance
A debt pandemic: Impact of the crisis in developing countries
This series of infograms and charts highlight the increasing impact of debt and the Covid-19 pandemic in the global south.
- Debt Justice
- Subtopic
62 CSOs deliver open letter on the Debt Transparency Initiative (DTI) to OECD, G20 and European Commission
62 civil society organisations and global networks across the world have published an open letter expressing their concerns about the design, consultation process and establishment of the ‘inadequate’ OECD Debt Transparency Initiative (DTI).
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution
Infogram: Debt, Colombia and Covid-19
Covid-19 has left Colombia in a precarious position. The following infographic highlights why urgent multilateral support is needed to help the country address its debt burden.
- Debt Justice
- Covid-19
Infogram: Sovereign Bonds and the Covid-19 Debt Crisis
Dive deeper into key Sovereign Bond data from Sleep now in the fire: Sovereign Bonds and the Covid-19 Debt Crisis in this interactive infographic.
- Debt Justice
- Covid-19
Is the IMF doing enough?
The failure of the IMF to respond to the Covid-19 crisis highlights the need for urgent international financial architecture reform. Eurodad's debt team analyse the data in this infograph.
- Debt Justice
- IFIs
The Civil Society FfD Group's reaction to the 2021 Financing for Development Forum
This year, the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum took place virtually from 12 and 15 April.
- Development Finance
- Covid-19
Spring Meetings 2021: Yet another insufficient response to the Covid-19 crisis?
Eurodad's policy experts reflect on the 2021 IMF and WBG spring meetings, raising concerns of an insufficient response and the inability of the Bretton Woods Institutions to put global social equity at the heart of long-term plans to rebuild fairer post-pandemic.
- Climate Finance
- Global Processes
Debt, Kenya and the IMF
Covid-19 has left Kenya in a precarious position. Learn more about the urgent measures needed and why, in the following infograph.
- Debt Justice
- IFIs
Special Drawing Rights: A three trillion dollar question (Infograph)
What are Special Drawing Rights and why are they so important to the global recovery post-Covid? Find out more in this interactive infographic.
Read our detailed analysis on SDRs | Click to expand the infograph
- Development Finance
- IFIs
The 3 trillion dollar question: What difference will the IMF’s new SDRs allocation make to the world’s poorest?
The US$650 billion allocation of SDRs proposed by the IMF will not support the post-Covid economic recovery of the poorest countries. In the following article, we set out the argument for a much larger allocation, one worth US$3 trillion.
- Development Finance
- Global Processes
Outlook 2021: effective multilateralism under the UN will be crucial
2021 brings the hope that the Covid-19 pandemic can be controlled, but existing inequalities are exacerbating access to the vaccine and with it, return to normal life. Here we set out what we expect to be the biggest issues we face as a network in the coming year.
- Climate Finance
- Covid-19
In memory of Soren Ambrose
Eurodad pays tribute to the pioneering activism of Soren Ambrose, who dedicated his life to the cause of justice.
- Climate Finance
Joint global response to the outcome of the Finance in Common Summit
Following the conclusion of the first Finance in Common Summit, APMDD, AFRODAD, Latindadd, Third World Network and Eurodad have issued the following response.
- Development Finance
- FiC
More than 500 civil society organisations call for immediate debt cancellation to help lower-income countries fight Covid-19
Civil society activists from across the world have come together online to sound the #DebtAlarm, calling upon world leaders to act on debt cancellation.
- Debt Justice
- Covid-19
Civil Society Organisations’ statement against continued IMF austerity
More than 500 civil society organisations are calling on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to immediately stop promoting austerity around the world, and instead advocate policies that advance gender justice, reduce inequality, and decisively put people and planet first.
- Debt Justice
- Covid-19
IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2020: a world in crisis looks for leadership
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank virtual Spring Meetings took place as global economic turmoil deepened
- Publicly-backed Private Finance
Eurodad reaction to the G20 suspension of debt payments
The G20 agreement is significant and will support the immediate Covid-19 response. But the breathing space it provides countries may be short-lived.
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution
The Spring meetings 2020: A make or break moment
The world is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis triggered by the outbreak of COVID-19. As the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs) deliver their virtual Spring Meetings, there are strong calls for an ambitious response.
- Publicly-backed Private Finance
Report from the Expert Seminar - Promoting governance innovation in sovereign debt restructurings: What are our options?
This seminar took place in the context of an emerging wave of debt crises across the globe, and an especially acute situation in Argentina, which had already partly defaulted on sovereign debts and announced that action on debt needs to be taken.
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution
Making debt work for development: Wrap-up of the 12th UNCTAD Debt Management Conference
The 12th UNCTAD Debt Management Conference titled “Making debt work for development” took place in Geneva this week. At one of the best attended policy conferences ever, several hundred participants – including Eurodad staff, members and partners - discussed topics such as how to tackle the unfolding developing country debt crisis, debt sustainability analyses for a new debt landscape, new debt transparency initiatives, and more effective debt workout mechanisms. Participants agreed that urgent action is needed to address the new wave of debt crises, and called for more political will.
- Debt Justice
Civil Society Letter concerning the draft UN Resolution on External Debt Sustainability and Development
Eurodad, along with CSOs from across the world, welcome the draft UN General Assembly Resolution on "External Debt Sustainability and Development."
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution
Declaration of civil society organisations at the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in light of the impacts of austerity policies in Ecuador, Argentina and Haiti
Thirty-five civil society organisations have today signed a declaration rejecting the IMF austerity policies implemented in Ecuador, Argentina and Haiti.
- Development Finance
UN Guiding Principles on human rights impact assessments of economic reforms
The UN Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights will be presenting new Guiding Principles on human rights impact assessments of economic reforms to the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in February/March 2019.
- Debt Justice
2018 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings: the Bank has more money, but promises little change
The Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank took place amid warnings of a ‘borrowed boom’ as an uptick in global growth was matched by global debt levels reaching record highs.
- Development Finance
IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings: drifting off course as multilateralism faces headwinds.
The 2017 spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank, which also included the second edition of the Global Infrastructure Forum, took place against the uncertainty generated by geopolitical changes such as the election of President Trump in the US and the formalisation of the UK’s exit from the European Union.
- Development Finance
- Global Processes
Vultures in Paris: Bilateral creditors achieve deal with Argentina
Argentina and its bilateral creditors, coordinated by the Paris Club, have reached a deal to settle outstanding loans that were in default since 2001. According to the agreement made on 29 May, Argentina is going to pay US$ 9.7 billion over the next five years.
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution
Vulture funds: US court ruling on Argentina enrages debt justice campaigners
The long litigation odyssey between the government of Argentina and holdout creditors continues.
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution
IMF acknowledges failure of recent debt restructurings, proposes new reforms
As the United Nations moves rapidly towards alternative proposals to sovereign debt work-out, it seems that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) does not want to be sidelined on the issue.
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution
39 CSOs sign up urging EU to cancel Haiti’s debt
Almost 40 civil society organizations signed a letter calling upon Members of the European Parliament Committee on Development and European Development Ministers to take action with respect to Haiti’s debt.
- Debt Justice
- Debt Resolution