The World Bank Group Policy on Disclosure of Information

The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information

I. Introduction
	1. This statement sets out the policy of the World Bank[1] on public availability of information held by it and sets out the materials available to the public. It supersedes The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information, published in March 1994. The policy is effective January 1, 2002. The implementation of the revised policy has been phased in, beginning January 1, 2002. Policy revisions with respect to particular categories of documents take effect on the dates indicated in Appendix 1 to this statement.[2] 2. Part II sets out the Bank’s disclosure policy. Parts III specifies the categories of information available to the general public or to interested individuals and groups. Part IV indicates the constraints that, while kept to a minimum, preclude the disclosure of some information.

	[1] In this policy statement, the term “World Bank” or “Bank” means the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). Except when the context requires otherwise, the term “project” includes programs supported under adjustment operations, and projects financed under Bank guarantee operations, see OP 14.25, Guarantees; “project” also includes (i) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Full-Sized projects and GEF Medium-Sized projects (as such terms are defined in paragraphs 38 and 42 of this statement), subject to the particular provisions applicable to such projects set forth in paragraphs 38-45, and (ii) except as the Bank and the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol may otherwise agree, projects financed through the Ozone Projects Trust Fund; “borrower,” in the context of a lending operation, includes “guarantor” and, in the context of a guarantee operation, includes the country providing the Bank with a counter-guarantee; and “lending operations” includes Bank guarantee operations. [2] Requests for a document produced within the framework of earlier, more restrictive policy, or prior to the effective date of provisions related to particular categories of documents, are addressed on a case-by-case basis in the context of the policy in effect when the document was prepared or, if applicable, in the context of the provisions of this statement on historical information (see paragraphs 77-81).

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