- More information on Board proceedings, projects in execution
- New classification system for documents and review mechanism
- Early access to key documents
- New policy to go into effect in January 2011.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) today approved its new Access to Information Policy, which aims to bring an unprecedented level of transparency to IDB operations and Board proceedings.
The document, one of the most far-reaching among multilateral financial institutions, reaffirms the IDB’s commitment to transparency by maximizing access to documents and information. It presumes disclosure for the vast majority of documents the IDB produces, and replaces a previous “positive list” of documents to be disclosed with a narrowly drawn list of exceptions to disclosure.
“The new policy is part of our ongoing reform efforts to make the IDB more accountable,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “As we further strengthen the mechanisms to measure the impact of our work, keeping the public informed of what we do in a timely fashion is essential. On the critical issue of transparency, it will allow us to lead by example.”
IDB management began its review of its information disclosure policy and received Board approval to propose a new policy six months ago, in December 2009.
The policy was approved by the IDB’s Board of Executive Directors on May 12. A draft that was reviewed by the Board had been simultaneously released to the public.
Country Strategies, Loan Proposals and Technical Cooperations would be released at the same time as Board distribution, subject to the non-objection by the country involved.
The policy also expands the availability of the agendas and minutes to the various Board committees. Statements by individual executive directors would be disclosed on a voluntary basis. A number of project monitoring and evaluation documents, including annual audit reports, would be made public for the first time.
Certain restricted categories of documents will be presumed to be confidential, including legal or investigative documents.
For the first time there will be a system for classifying information as belonging to either a public category or a non-public one. This is to ensure that the new policy is being implemented consistently.
Information that is not public is declassified over time, according to the policy. If a request for access to information is denied, requesters can appeal to an interdepartmental committee, and in a second stage, to an outside panel.
A previous profile of the new information policy had undergone a 30-day public consultation period. The new document incorporates suggestions obtained from the public.
The new policy is to take effect on January 1, 2011.