Is World Bank Set to Mend Ways On Forest Conservation Lending?
Copyright 2000 The Nation August 24, 2000 Jeff Otieno Is the World Bank about to mend its ways? So it seems, going by one of its publications. A recent study commissioned by the Bank revealed that imposing conditionalities to arm twist governments is counter-productive “and that the borrower’s ownership of a reform programme is critical to its success”. The study entitled The Right Conditions, the World Bank, Structural Adjustment and Forest Policy Reform, has some tough words for the Bank. Its credibility with key stakeholders is at stake unless it promotes environmentally-friendly policy reform through adjustment lending. The study recommends that the Bretton Woods institution should only aid countries with sound economic management. The South in general has some of the world’s richest biodiversity, yet environmental destruction here is in high gear, and conservation a low priority. And this despite the World Bank’s stringent aid conditions – or perhaps because of them according to s
