It
seems that developing countries are always being
asked to open up their bank books to the eyes of
foreigners with the purpose being to expose and
eliminate corruption. In an effort to practice
what they preach, the World Bank has decided to
do just the same. The Board of Executive Directors
has approved revisions to the Bank's policy on
the disclosure of information, making changes that
they say will bring greater transparency and accountability
to the Bank's support for the development process.
The
International Forum on National Sustainable Development
will The revisions provide for the release of a greater
number of project-related documents; disclosure of
the Chairman's summaries of Board discussions on
Country Assistance Strategies (CASs) and Sector Strategy
Papers (SSPs); and a more systematic approach (with
a reduced lapse of time) to accessing Bank archives.
The Executive Directors also endorsed steps that
will lead over time to substantial improvements in
access to information through Bank offices in developing
countries.
"The revisions
to the disclosure policy
in August 2001 are
an important step in
an ongoing, evolving
process aimed at improving
the Bank's contribution
to development," says
World Bank President
James D. Wolfensohn. "The
Bank recognizes that
transparency and accountability
are crucial to development
effectiveness, and
will continue to review
the provisions and
implementation of its
disclosure policy on
a regular basis in
the coming years."
Implementation of
the changes is scheduled
to take place on January
1, 2002. Measures are
being taken to ensure
that privileged and
proprietary information
are protected.
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