Towards more inclusive, participatory, just and sustainable development.

This newsletter issue focuses on empowering Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the MENA region and strengthening their engagement with International Financial Institutions (IFIs). By fostering deeper collaboration and understanding between CSOs and IFIs, AWC aims to bridge gaps, address challenges, and enhance the impact of development programs in the region. This strategic emphasis reflects AWC's ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive development processes through robust dialogue and advocacy.

Introduction

Welcome to the latest edition of Arab Watch Coalition (AWC) Newsletter, your source for updates on our endeavors to shape policy and promote accountability in the Arab region. As a leading coalition advocating for inclusive, participatory, and sustainable development across the Arab region, AWC is committed to amplifying the voices of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and influencing the policies of International Financial Institutions (IFIs). This newsletter highlights our ongoing efforts to achieve these goals and drive positive change.

As part of its ongoing series analyzing IMF-CSOs engagement and strengthening IMF programming in the Arab region, AWC produced its second policy article focused on engagement through the lens of civil society. This article identifies current gaps and challenges in the engagement between the International Monetary Fund and CSOs, addressing concerns such as inclusivity and language barriers, lack of grassroots inputs, and the need for standardized engagement strategies and follow-up protocols.

In the third policy article of this series, AWC delves deeper into the IMF's engagement approach, examining its structural framework, operational conditions, and associated outcomes. The article seeks to evaluate the integration of civil society groups, including trade unions and non-state actors, into decision-making processes. AWC aims to develop a policy primer from this multi-stakeholder assessment.

Toolkit for CSOs and Activists

AWC developed a comprehensive toolkit for CSOs and activists in the MENA region. This resource offers insights into the World Bank's financing instruments and environmental and social policies. It equips activists with knowledge to monitor and assess World Bank-funded projects effectively, including guidance on identifying high-risk projects and utilizing the Bank's online resources for information retrieval and complaints procedures.

AWC compiled a projects list that identifies high-risk projects classified as Category A due to their potential to cause significant environmental and/or social harm. These projects are located in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. AWC developed the list to equip CSOs with detailed information about these ongoing projects, empowering them to monitor developments, advocate for positive changes, and take action if harmful impacts arise.

During the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2024 Spring Meetings, which took place from April 15 to 20 in Washington, AWC co-sponsored sessions during the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF).

• We co-sponsored a session focused on how the IFC can ensure accountability in projects from which it divests, particularly those investigated by the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO).

On the sidelines of the CSPF, we also co-sponsored a panel on the effectiveness of IMF programs in the MENA region, exploring how the IMF can change its approaches to foster economic growth and social progress.

Closed Meetings with IMF and WBG Teams

Due to the restricted civic space in many countries in our region, which limits our ability to host such meetings locally, we held several closed meetings with IMF country teams and WBG Executive Directors in Washington, DC.

We met with the IMF mission teams for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon to discuss the economic outlook in these countries, economic issues, limited civic space, and the engagement process with CSOs.

AWC released a study on carbon taxation and carbon emission trading within the context of global climate change mitigation efforts.

Working Groups

We have started work on creating several new working groups covering diverse areas of expertise, including taxation, environmental and economic justice, and more. Stay tuned for updates!

For more information and to get involved, contact us at info@arabwatchcoalition.org.