The World Bank 1 World Bank Reforming to Meet New Challenges: Access to Information Effective July 1, 2010 The World Bank

2 Adapting to Changing Demands Enhancing the development process Increasing transparency and accountability Encouraging public ownership of Bank operations Sharing the Bank’s global knowledge New AI Policy

The World Bank 3 From Disclosure to Access New AI Policy informed by:  Lessons of disclosure policies  External and internal consultations  Experiences of governments implementing freedom of information laws HistoryEvolution 1985World Bank instruction to staff on information disclosure 1993First Disclosure policy, creation of Public Information Centers 2001, 2003 and 2005Expanded scope of the Disclosure policy

The World Bank 4 Guiding principles of the policy Maximizing access to Information Clear List of Exceptions – all other information is public Safeguarding the Deliberative Process Clearer Procedures for Disclosing Information Right to Appeal

The World Bank 5 What Progress Looks Like

The World Bank 6 Snapshot: Comparing the Past and Future Document Type Disclosed to the Public Old Policy New AI Policy Country Assistance Strategies XX Economic and Sector Work reports XX Project Appraisal Documents, Program Documents XX Monthly Statement of Loans and Credits XX Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers XX Portions of Implementation Status and Results (ISR) reports X PIDs to summarize key decisions taken at Project Concept Review and appraisal stage X Minutes of Board Committee Meetings X Summings-up of Board meetings X

The World Bank 7 List of 10 Exception Types  Personal information  Communications of Executive Directors’ offices  Board ethics committee proceedings  Attorney-client privilege information  Security & safety information  Information restricted under separate disclosure regimes & other investigative information  Information provided by member countries or external parties in confidence  Corporate administrative matters  Deliberative information  Financial information May be eligible for declassification under the year schedules

The World Bank 8 Why Restrict Some Documents?  Respect the confidentiality of clients, shareholders, employees, and other parties  Ensure frank exchange of ideas and views  Protect against harm to specific parties or interests

The World Bank 9 Exceptions #9 - Deliberative information  Deliberative process – consideration of issues and options before making a decision or taking an action (e.g., draft reports )  Certain deliberative information may be declassified and disclosed in 5, 10 or 20 years

The World Bank 10 Exceptions #10 - Financial Information Bank routinely discloses:  Monthly statements of loans and credits,  Loan, development credit, development grant and project agreements  Borrower’s audited annual financial statements for investment lending operations invited to negotiate after July 1, 2010 Bank does not provide access to:  Estimates of future IBRD borrowing, financial forecasts or credit assessments  Details of individual transactions under loans and trust funds

The World Bank 11 Bank’s Prerogatives  The Bank preserves the right, under exceptional circumstances to: 1. Disclose certain restricted information or 2. Restrict access to information normally available to the public.  The Bank will weigh potential harms and benefits of a decision.  Authorized by Board, Management or Clients/Third Parties. Note: Disclosure of information provided by a Member Country/Third Party in confidence requires its written consent.

The World Bank 12 Client/Joint Information  Some information is publicly available as a condition for doing business with the Bank (e.g., safeguard reports)  Information jointly produced with clients/partners  Partners informed that most information is publicly available as per Bank policy  Final documents will be made available after ensuring there is no restricted information

The World Bank 13 Declassification of Information  Confidentiality and sensitivity usually declines over time  Certain restricted information eligible for declassification over time:  Deliberative Information  Financial Information (unless banking or billing information )  Provided these do not contain information under other exceptions.

The World Bank 14 Accessing Information Type of InformationWhere to Find It Documents and Reportshttp:// Projects and programshttp:// Resultshttp:// Development Datahttp://data.worldbank.org Country-related informationCountry web-pages

The World Bank 15 Accessing Information Information not available or accessible on the Bank’ website can be requested by contacting a Bank Public Information Center in a member country, the InfoShop in Washington, D.C., or by sending a request via

The World Bank 16 Implementation Details  5 working days to acknowledge receipt of the request  20 working days to provide a response  The Bank reserves the right to refuse unreasonable requests (e.g. to create or collate information that does not exists)

The World Bank 17 Right to Appeal – Two Grounds Appeal to Access to Information Appeals Board comprised of external members Appellant is not satisfied with the decision Appeal to Access to Information Committee under Bank Management Ground: Access to information that should be disclosed is restricted Appeal to Access to Information Committee under Bank Management Ground: A public interest case to override certain policy exceptions

The World Bank 18 Contact Us Submit questions, comments & requests to: