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World Bank Reform

What the World Bank Is Doing


October 16, 2009—The World Bank Group is advancing multiple reforms to promote inclusiveness, innovation, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. It is expanding cooperation with the UN, the IMF, other multilateral development banks, donors, civil society, and foundations. But the effort must go further to realize a World Bank Group that represents the international economic realities of the 21st Century, recognizes the role and responsibility of growing stakeholders, and provides a larger voice for developing countries. Watch this space for regular updates on World Bank reform.



Increasing Voice and Participation

We are reforming to enhance the voice and representation of developing and transition countries in the Bank Group, with an additional Board seat for Sub-Saharan Africa and an increase in the voting power of developing countries to at least 47 percent by spring 2010, aiming at 50 percent over time.

Promoting Accountability and Good Governance

Governance and anti-corruption are now key elements in  Bank operations across sectors and countries, with lending in public sector governance comprising approximately $4.7 billion in FY08 and $5.8 billion in FY09.

Reforming Investment Lending

A major effort is underway to reform the Bank’s Investment Lending model so that it responds better to borrowers’ needs and a changing global environment. The new approach calls for more focus on results and risks; and streamlined processing of low risk operations while paying more attention to supervision and higher risk investments.

Increasing Transparency and Disclosure

Under forthcoming disclosure policy reform, the Bank will disclose information unless there is a designated exception.

Reviewing Internal Governance

Report sets out proposals for strengthening World Bank Group governance and overall effectiveness, including voice and participation.