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GTI Update #14
In this Update: New Transparency Website Available; Final draft GTI charter ready for comment; IFC opens consultation on its disclosure policy; Comment period on EIB disclosure policy begins; Changes to IMF transparency policy; reports, articles and more
The Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) is an informal network of civil society organizations that are working together to overcome the secrecy surrounding the operations of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs). What follows is an update on the network's activities including recent reports and articles providing varied perspectives on IFI transparency and related issues, and a calendar of upcoming events. Please circulate to interested colleagues. If you would like make an announcement in this update, please contact Jennifer Kalafut (jkalafut@bicusa.org).
GTI ACTIVITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW TRANSPARENCY WEBSITE NOW AVAILABLE
GTI is proud to announce its new Global Transparency website, http://ifitransparency.org. The site provides up-to-date news on GTI issues, a searchable database of the latest resources regarding activities among IFIs, as well as a calendar of events for civil society organizations.
FINAL DRAFT CHARTER READY FOR COMMENT
September 28, 2005, Right to Know Day, began a two-month period in which comments are being accepted on the final draft of the GTI IFI Transparency Charter. The Charter lists nine principles that are vital to increased access of information at the IFIs. The comment period ends November 28, 2005, after which the Charter will be finalized and ready for endorsement. The Charter is available in English, French, Spanish, or Russian versions.
- To download the Charter, visit the IFI Tansparency Center
- Comments may be sent to Toby
IFI TRANSPARENCY DEBATES
IFC ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON DRAFT DISCLOSURE POLICY
September 22, 2005, began a 60-day period in which civil society may comment on a new draft of the International Finance Corporation’s Disclosure policy. IFC is accepting comments on the draft policy until November 25, 2005. After the first of the year, a revised final draft will be sent to the Board for approval. Information about the policy review is available on the IFC Policy Review website.
- Comments about the draft Disclosure Policy may be sent via email to disclosurepolicyreview@ifc.org.
- Information on civil society activities around the review can be found at Global Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities.
IMF REVISES TRANSPARENCY POLICY
On August 4, 2005, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund approved proposed amendments to its Transparency Policy. The amendments resulted from a series of Board meetings, including a June 20, 2005, discussion of the Review of the Fund’s Transparency Policy (May 24, 2005) and the August 4, 2005, meeting where the Board approved The Fund’s Transparency Policy- Proposed Amendments (July 28, 2005). Both documents are available on-line.
- Download the Review of the Fund’s Transparency Policy
- Copy of the IMF Transparency Policy- Proposed Amendments
RECENT REPORTS AND ARTICLES
NEW ARTICLES FROM freedominfo.org
- August 18, 2005- WTO Offers 400 Audience Slots to Public for First Open Panel Hearings Next Month
- August 9, 2005- EIB Declines to Release Ukrainian Framework Agreement
- August 9, 2005- Pakistan Newspaper Reports on Nonpublic World Bank Document
All articles are available at the FreedomInfo website
WORLD BANK REBUKED OVER WATER DEAL
The Guardian, July 29, 2005. Delhi, India.
Civil society organizations lamented the World Bank after obtaining documents through Delhi’s freedom of information act that revealed the World Bank was involved in corrupt dealings by awarding a water privatization contract to PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Online at:
- World Bank Rebuked Over Water Deal, July 29 2005 (The Guardian)
PARLIAMENTARIANS REMOVED FROM G24 MINISTER MEETING
World Development Movement, September 26, 2005. Washington DC
Online at:
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER
3: EIB opens second round of consultations on its Disclosure and Information Policy
21: EIB closes second round of consultations on its Disclosure and Information Policy
NOVEMBER
25: IFC closes comment period on new draft Disclosure Policy
details
Published 14th October 2005 by Bank Information Centertopic
