
WHY IS THE IDB UPDATING ITS ACCESS TO INFORMATION POLICY?
The Inter-American Development Bank is updating its policy to reaffirm its commitment to transparency, strengthen corporate governance and increase accountability. During this process, the IDB will incorporate new disclosure standards adopted by other international financial institutions while also making information disclosure more proactive and predictable.
The IDB last updated its Access to Information Policy in 2011, adopting a new focus on disclosure based on maximum access to information. The update was based on four principles: (i) maximum access to information; (ii) narrow and clear exceptions to disclosure; (iii) simple and broad access to information; and (iv) explanations of decisions to not disclose information and the right to review those decisions. This strengthened the IDB’s culture of openness and responsibility.
Since then, the IDB has fostered a better understanding of its mission and role in terms of transparency. In doing so, the implementation of the Access to Information Policy has improved. A ranking of access to information programs by Publish What You Fund, the global campaign for transparency in aid and development, is a testament to that progress, having placed the IDB in the highest category.
To further strengthen the IDB’s culture of openness and transparency, the Bank is inviting all interested parties to participate in a public consultation. The aim is to obtain feedback from stakeholders that the IDB can consider as it updates its Access to Information Policy.