ACCESS TO INFORMATION POLICY UPDATE

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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.

The public consultation is free and open to all interested individuals and institutions. To engage the widest possible audience, the IDB is holding virtual consultations and in-person meetings in Washington, DC and in various cities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

All interested parties can register here to receive updates, offer comments and soon obtain details about the face-to-face meetings.

WHEN WILL THE UPDATE PROCESS TAKE PLACE?

On November 4, 2019 the Inter-American Development Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved plans to launch the process for updating the existing Access to Information Policy.

As part of the process, the Board approved an initial policy proposal, known as a Policy Profile, which was submitted to the public for comments on November 13, 2019. This marked the beginning of a 45-day public consultation process on the Policy Profile that ended on December 28, 2019.

Details on the public consultation

The first phase of the consultation lasted 45 days and focused on receiving feedback on the Policy Profile. The IDB is now using the inputs received digitally and in person to elaborate a new proposal, known as a Draft Policy. Once completed, the Draft Policy will be submitted for consideration in the second phase of the consultation process, which will last for 120 days.

Once the second phase has ended and inputs have been processed, the IDB will present a new Draft Policy to the Board of Executive Directors for consideration and approval, likely in July 2020.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE UPDATE PROCESS?

The consultation is public, free and open to everyone. You can submit any feedback that you believe will help improve the Access to Information Policy. In addition, the IDB has prepared specific questions to obtain feedback on key areas where the Bank is particularly interested in receiving input from stakeholders.

Phase I of the consultation process has concluded. It lasted 45 days and focused on receiving feedback on the Policy Profile. It consisted of a preparatory in-person meeting with transparency experts in the Caribbean, a virtual online consultation, and a face-to-face meeting in Washington, D.C.

Phase II: After revising the Policy Profile, the IDB will publish a second policy proposal document, or Draft Policy, and launch a 120-day consultation period during which time the public can comment on the document.

You can participate in this second phase of the consultation by registering here. You can also submit feedback via email: consultapai@iadb.org.

During this phase, the IDB will also hold face-to-face consultations on the Draft Policy in various cities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and at the IDB’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Tentative schedule for the in-person consultation meetings:

Phase I—a meeting in Washington in December.

Phase II—Between March and June 2020, the IDB expects to hold six face-to-face meetings with the aim of including all borrowing member countries. This includes a meeting with indigenous communities and another with stakeholders in Washington.

In-person consultations will be by invitation only due to logistical considerations and space constraints.

Address:

Access to Information Policy

1350 New York Avenue, NW.

Washington, D.C. 20577 USA.

Please register here to receive updates on the consultation process. To submit comments or upload documents, you can write to us at: consultapai@iadb.org

Your opinion matters. Give us your feedback!