On 17 November, the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new policy on access to information that positions the Bank as a transparency leader among international institutions. The policy was informed by extensive external and internal consultations held in 33 countries and through the Bank’s external website.
The new policy represents a fundamental shift in the Bank’s approach to disclosure of information—from one that spells out what documents it can disclose to one that mandates disclosure of any information that is not on a list of exception
"This paradigm shift underscores the Bank's commitment to transparency and accountability and recognizes their fundamental importance to development and to achieving the Bank's mission of overcoming poverty and improving development effectiveness," said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick.
The Bank's statement said the policy on access to information provides for the disclosure of more information than ever before - on projects under preparation, projects under implementation, analytic and advisory activities and Board proceedings. It added that information would be easily accessible on the World Bank's external website and available through the InfoShop, public information centres, and the World Bank Group Archives.
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