About this Resource
Bank Information Center (BIC) and freedominfo.org are proud to present the IFI Transparency Resource-an extensive information tool on transparency at the International Financial Institutions (IFIs). This Resource has been developed to support the Global Transparency Initiative which is an informal network of civil society organizations focused on opening the IFIs and promoting higher standards in global governance.
Read more about these organizations online:
Bank Information Center (BIC) freedominfo.org Global Transparency Initiative (GTI)
This Resource systematically documents access to information at ten IFIs, including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, in an effort to identify best practice, develop a comprehensive vision for much needed transparency reforms, and help interested organizations and individuals access relevant information. The data in the Resource deconstructs IFI operations into thirteen broad categories (governing bodies, policies and strategies, the lending cycle, etc.) which in turn are further broken down into almost 250 indicators of transparency. Comparing ten IFIs across 250 transparency indicators has produced the most comprehensive baseline analysis of access to information at the IFIs ever assembled.
The IFI Transparency Resource not only contains comprehensive data on the transparency of IFI operations and projects, but also provides users with a library of related resources, including: IFI disclosure policies, civil society reports, useful websites, and more.
Updates
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency: (11 April 2006) MIGA has recently redisgned its website (www.miga.org) and the Resource has been updated accordingly to harmonize its web links with the new MIGA site.
International Monetary Fund: (28 February 2006) The Resource has recently been updated to reflect changes to disclosure requirements at the IMF. The changes result from the approval by the IMF of a July 28, 2005 report entitled, "The Fund's Transparency Policy-Proposed Amendments." Click here to download the revised IMF Transparency Policy.
Inter-American Investment Corporation: (14 November 2005) On October 11, 2005, the Board of Executive Directors of the IIC passed a new Disclosure of Information Policy. The Resource is currently being updated to reflect these changes.
Asian Development Bank: (13 October 2005) The Resource has been updated to reflect the changes of the ADB's new Public Communications Policy after it became effective on September 1, 2005.
African Development Bank: (20 July 2005) The AfDB has recently redesigned its website (www.afdb.org). While we have changed the web-links provided in this Resource to reflect the AfDB's new site, many links are still missing due to the incompleteness of the AfDB site. We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
Asian Development Bank: (27 April 2005) On April 22, 2005, the ADB's Board of Directors approved a new policy on access to information at the ADB. With the new Public Communication Policy, the public will have access to decisions by ADB's Board of Directors; Core administrative documents; Project information at early stages, to enable more involvement of local people; and Project monitoring and evaluation information. The new policy will be effective as of September 1, 2005. To access this paper on-line click here, or available in pdf format:
ADB Public Comunications Policy (March2005).pdf
World Bank: (10 March 2005) On March 8, 2005, the World Bank approved several revisions to its disclosure policy including: a requirement to disclose minutes of Board meetings and unified requirements around the disclosure of IDA and IBRD Country Assistance Strategies. These revisions will be effective as of April 1, 2005. The World Bank has produced a paper detailing all revisions. To access this paper on-line click here, or you may access it in pdf format:
WB Additional Issues (14Feb05).pdf
About Bank Information Center: BIC partners with civil society in developing and transition countries to influence the the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank, regional development banks, and IMF.
BIC’s Transparency Program seeks to: (i) influence IFI disclosure policies; (ii) facilitate coordinated action among concerned organizations worldwide, and; (iii) produce research and analysis that helps civil society organizations (CSOs), journalists, academics and government officials access information about IFI operations. More information on BIC can be found at www.bicusa.org.
About freedominfo.org: freedominfo.org is a one-stop internet portal that describes best practices, consolidates lessons learned, explains campaign strategies and tactics, and links the efforts of freedom of information advocates around the world. The website contains crucial information on freedom of information laws and how they were drafted and implemented, including how various provisions have worked in practice.
freedominfo.org includes IFTI Watch, a site devoted to transparency news about International Financial and Trade Institutions. In addition to writing about new developments such as proposed disclosure policies, IFTI Watch publishes stories about transparency developments involving particular projects or country strategies. Since June 2002, IFTI Watch has published dozens of articles. More information can be found at www.freedominfo.org.
Please note: Although thorough reviews of the information contained in the IFI Transparency Resource have been conducted, some discrepancies are expected. The mass of data contained in the Resource coupled with the challenge of capturing countinually revised disclosure requirements and practices allows for some oversight and mistakes. Feedback on the usefulness and accuracy of this Resource are very welcome. Please contact Jennifer Kalafut at Bank Information Center (jkalafut@bicusa.org) with any comments or questions.