What is the main difference between the Bank's new Access to Information policy and
the previous Disclosure policy?
The new Policy moves the Bank from an approach that spelled out what information is disclosed to one that allows the Bank to disclose any information in its possession that is not on a list of exceptions set out in the Policy.
Under the new Policy, significantly more information on Bank operations and Board proceeding will be available.
The new Policy permits public release of some documents (e.g., Country Assistance Strategy, Project Apprasal Document, Program Document) prior to discussion by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors.
Certain restricted information will be eligible for declassification after either 5, 10, or 20 years.
The new Policy establishes an appeals mechanism that provides public recourse should the Bank violate its own policy by improperly or unreasonably restricting access to information.
What can be disclosed under the new Policy?
The Bank may disclose any information in its possession unless that information falls within one or more of 10 categories on a list of exceptions set out in the Policy.
What types of information are on the List of Exceptions?
1. Personal Information;
2. Communications of Executive Directors' Offices;
3. Proceedings of the Ethics Committee for Board Officials;
4. Information Subject to Attorney-Client Privilege;
5. Security and Safety Information;
6. Information under Separate Disclosure Regimes/Investigative Information;
7. Information Provided by Member Countries or Third Parties in Confidence;
8. Corporate Administrative Matters;
9. Deliberative Information; and
10. Financial Information.
Why does the policy restrict some types of information from disclosure?
The Policy represents a balance between the Bank's interest in providing the maximum amount of information to the public and its obligations to protect the confidentiality of information pertaining to shareholders, clients, staff and other parties, and to protect the deliberative process. The restricted information on the list of exceptions reflect information whose disclosure could cause harm to well defined interests.
What is “Deliberative" information”?
This is information and communications generated as part of the deliberative process, which includes the process of considering issues and options before making a decision or taking action (e.g., draft reports, analyses of country credit ratings and risks). While the Bank discloses decisions, results and agreements that flow from its deliberative process, the Bank protects the integrity of the deliberative process by facilitating and safeguarding a free and candid exchange of ideas, both within the Bank and with partners and stakeholders.
Will deliberative information ever become public?
After 20 years, deliberative information may be eligible for declassification and made publicly available, unless the deliberations reflect or relate to information that is restricted and not eligible for declassification, for example, personnel matters.
How will the Bank treat information given to it in confidence by clients or third parties?
Information given in confidence by clients or third parties will be classified as restricted. The Bank requests clients/third parties to mark information provided in confidence as “provided in confidence" or "confidential.”