World Bank's Access to Information Policy Takes Effect

The World Bank's new Access to Information Policy took effect on 1st July 2010 making more information available to the public than ever before, particularly on Board actions and projects under implementation.

The policy, approved by the Board of Executive Directors in November 2009, is a sea change for the Bank and has already been recognized within the development community as a fundamental shift in approach that sets a new standard for international organizations.

It is broadly based on information laws adopted by India and the United States, a release from the Accra Office of the Bank said on Friday.

"This new policy constitutes a major shift in the Bank's approach to information disclosure, transparency, sharing of knowledge, and accountability," Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank President said.

He said the public will now have access to a much broader range of information than ever before, particularly information about projects under preparation and implementation and the Board's actions.

Together with a range of reforms already under way from boosting the voting power of developing countries on its Executive Board to providing free access to its stores of development data through its Open Data Initiative.

The new policy makes the Bank an even more effective partner to developing countries, other international agencies, and civil society organizations (CSOs) by making its operations more open, transparent and accountable.

Under the new policy, the Bank moves from an approach that spells out what information it can disclose to one under which the Bank can make public any information in its possession that is not on a clear list of exceptions. Much more information will be made available on key decisions made during project development and implementation, for example. These include decisions of project concept review meetings, project supervision missions, and mid-term project reviews.

This enhanced transparency and accountability will allow for greater monitoring of Bank-supported projects, thereby enabling better development results. In addition, the Access to Information policy will make information more accessible to the general public, providing an opportunity to better track use of public funds.

GNA