Near bottom of page, see World Bank protest schedule for the rest of the week
Protest Outside IDA Forum Calls on G7 Leaders to Fund Debt Relief, Climate Finance
Activists delivered attendees coffee, calling on them to WAKE UP and Fund IDA for People and Planet!
Washington, DC—Today, global activists greeted world leaders as they entered the World Bank for the scheduled International Development Association (IDA) Forum meeting, calling on G7 leaders to fund IDA for debt relief and climate resilience.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga has called the IDA the “single most important thing in the World Bank,” as it is the only source of funding for many countries. This year's spring meetings, taking place this week, are expected to result in an announcement for new funding.
Activists are calling on G7 leaders to seize this opportunity to massively replenish this fund to invest in building a greener, more resilient world.
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"From Covid to war to financial instability, multiple crises have set back global development, most deeply impacting vulnerable communities," said Andrew Nazdin, director of the Glasgow Actions Team. "We're calling on G7 leaders to step up to the plate and fully fund IDA.”
"Today, the G7 seems to have more resources for war than development finance. But if funding for IDA21 were to be 'historic,' we need to talk about quantity and quality. Development financing today should be non-debt creating. It should not impose on global South countries' paths for economic and ecological shifts,” said Rodolfo Lahoy Jr., Policy Head at IBON International. “This requires moving beyond the old World Bank and global North-driven model that binds our countries to an extractive, fossil fuel-reliant, and export-dependent economic system.”
"This year's IDA replenishment must be scaled significantly to help poor countries, which still have to deal with a severely growing debt burden," agreed Grace Ronoh, Africa Finance Campaign Manager at Recourse. "Replenishment of the IDA will support clean energy and climate justice, and create a more stable future for us all."
Activists handed meeting attendees free coffee with stickers that said “Wake Up: Fund IDA for People and Planet,” bringing this message inside into the meetings. They dressed as G7 leaders with masks under a massive banner that stated: “G7: Fund IDA for People and Planet!”
Protest Schedule for the Rest of the Week
Thursday, April 18, 12:00 PM Noon: Retirement Party for Axel van Trotsenburg. Outside the World Bank entrance, activists will protest Axel van Trotsenburg’s long tenure and urge him to retire with a retirement party-themed protest.
Thursday, April 18, 6:30 PM: Press Briefing. You’re welcome to join an in-person press briefing at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, with the opportunity to speak directly with expert global south speakers from the Big Shift campaign. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Sophie Richmond at srichmond@climatenetwork.org.
Friday, April 19, 10:00 AM: Debt for Climate Zambia activists call on World Bank to Drop the Debt. Hundreds will take part in a march around the world demanding debt relief at their local World Bank offices, including in Lusaka, Zambia. March route available upon request.
Friday, April 19, 12:00 PM Noon: Day of Action. A massive march and rally will cap out the week of events, featuring a Star Wars-themed protest alongside dozens of groups from around the world.
