Providing an explanation for or justification of one's actions.
Glossary
Background
Advocacy
The recommendation of a policy.
Background
Articles of Agreement
Each of the Bretton Woods organisations operate according to procedures established by its articles of agreement or an equivalent founding document. These documents outline the conditions of membership and the general principles of organisation, management, and operations.
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Back Loading
Deferring the disbursement until specified conditions have been implemented.
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Balance of Payments
An overall statement of a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world over some period of time, consisting of the current account, capital account and changes in official foreign exchange reserves. This BOP can also refer to the difference in total receipts and expenditure for any category.
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Bank Procedures
World Bank guidelines providing parameters for implementing policies.
Background
Bretton Woods Institutions
Collective name for World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), institutions established in 1944 at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA.
Background
Budgetary Aid
General financial assistance (structural adjustment lending) given in certain cases to dependent territories to cover a recurrent budget deficit. Also known as Programme Support.
Background
Capital Account Liberalisation
Removal of controls on the international flows on a country's capital account, enabling full currency convertibility and opening of the financial system.
Background
CEE Bankwatch Network
This network organises environmental NGOs from 11 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and stimulates improvement in the state of the environment, promotes and undertakes charitable expert and educational activities improving the environment.
Background
Civil Society Organisation
Civil society covers the space between the activities of the state and the market. Organisations within civil society range from church groups to environmental pressure groups to local credit collectives and trade unions.
Background
Committee on Development Effectiveness
Established in 1994 as an 8-member standing committee of the Board of Executive Directors, CODE oversees the operations evaluation system of the Bank and the IFC operations, reviewing their output and management responses to it.
Background
Committee on Governance and Executive Directors' Administrative Matters
An 8-member standing committee of the Board of Executive Directors, COGAM advises the Board on issues of governance and administrative policy such as codes of conduct on corruption. It is the key committee in following up on the agenda to increase the 'voice' and participation of developing countries at the Bank. Previously CODAM.
Background
Compensatory and Contingency Financing Facility
IMF financing facility that combines the compensatory financing facility with elements of contingency financing to help members cover short falls in export earning and service receipts, as well as excesses in cereal import costs, that are temporary and arise from events beyond the members' control.
Background
Compliance Advisor Ombudsman
CAO is a mechanism to allow individuals and communities impacted by IFC and MIGA projects to raise their concerns directly and to enhance the social and environmental outcomes of such projects. Its 3 roles are overseeing IFC/MIGA projects' overall environmental and social performance (Compliance); providing independent advice to the President and management on specific projects as well as broader environmental and social policies, guidelines, procedures and resources (Advisor); and addressing the complaints of impacted people to find mutually satisfactory solutions (Ombudsman).
Background
Comprehensive Development Framework
Framework developed by the World Bank to coordinate all actors in the development process towards implementing a coherent framework of macroeconomic, structural and social reforms for poverty reduction.
Background
Concessional Loan
Loan provided to poorest countries with lower interest rates and longer repayment periods than typical or standard market or multilateral loans, i.e. less than market interest rates and extended grace period. Also known as a soft loan.
Background
Conditionality
Economic polices or structural reforms that [borrowing] members agree to follow as a condition for the use of IMF and World Bank resources [loans] often called performance criteria or benchmarks.
Background
Contingency Credit Line
IMF credit line established after the financial crisis in 1997-1999. Countries are required to satisfy certain conditions in order to join the CCL to provide emergency assistance. This facility was expired in November 2003.
Background
Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Background
Country Assistance Strategy
Outlines the programme of policy reforms and projects for which the World Bank provides loans, ie financed by World Bank loans. The CAS document describes the Bank Group's strategy based on an assessment of priorities in the country, and also indicates the level and composition of assistance to be provided based on the strategy and the country's portfolio performance.
Background
Country Economic Memoranda
Included under final Country Economic and Sector Work Reports, which include a broad range of documents on borrower country economies and sectors.
Background
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment
Initiated by the Bank in the late 1970s, CPIAs consist of a set of criteria representing the different policy and institutional dimensions of an effective poverty reduction and growth strategy (e.g quality of budgetary and financial management, debt policy, gender equality...), and are intended to guide the allocation of IDA lending resources. For each criterion, countries are rated on a scale of 1 (very weak performance) to 6 (very strong performance), and a total rating for each country is calculated.
Background
Credit Tranche
A tranche is an installment or portion of an IMF loan. Loans are often made for 18-month or three-year programmes and disbursed in tranches. Certain conditions must be met for the release of subsequent tranches.
Background
Cross Conditionality
Practice of including World Bank-related programme conditions in IMF programmes and vice-versa. Such actions should be reduced under new guidelines on streamlining conditions.
Background
Debt Refinancing
A form of relief in which a new loan or grant is arranged to enable the debtor country to meet the service requirements on an earlier loan.
Background
Debt Service
Payments due under debt contracts. This includes payment of interest as it becomes due and payments of the original amount borrowed (principal). Where debt is long dated, a large proportion of the debt service may consist of interest payments.
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Debt Standstill
Mechanism by which a country agrees to cease payments on its debts until a restructuring agreement has been negotiated with its creditors.
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Department for International Development
UK Government department for International Development, formerly the Overseas Development Administration (ODA).
Background
Department of Institutional Integrity
INT investigates allegations of fraud and corruption in Bank operations and allegations of staff misconduct. It also assists in preventive efforts to protect Bank funds such as staff training.
Background
Developing Countries
A definition employed by the DEC to categorise countries eligible for Official Development Assistance.
Background
Development Assistance Committee
This committee within the OECD provides a forum for consultation among the 21 donor countries on how to increase the level and effectiveness of aid flows to recipient countries.
Background
Development Committee
A joint Bank-IMF forum, the DC meets twice a year to set broad Bank policy and advise the Board of Governors on development issues. DC'S 24 members are appointed by the executive Board of Directors. They are representative of all the member countries and usually ministers of Finance or Development.
Background
Development Economics Department
Department of the World Bank responsible for collecting, studying and sharing information relating to development.
Background
Development Gateway
DG is an internet portal on development issues which seeks to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction through knowledge and resource sharing. Having been conceived and designed by the World Bank, it commenced operations as an independent not-for-profit organisation in July 2001.
Background
Direct Investment
An investment made to acquire or increase the productive capacity of a country, eg in machinery, factory or business.
Background
Disbursement
The release of loan funds by the World Bank or IMF to a borrower government.
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Dollarisation
Effectively, the replacement of domestic currency by the United States dollar. In doing so, the country gives up its control of monetary policy. This is generally a response to a total lack of confidence in the domestic currency, often associated with high and prolonged inflation.
Background
Ecological Debt
Owed by the World Bank and richer countries to citizens of borrowing, poorer countries, ecological debt includes atmospheric pollution and other costs to the global environment of unsustainable living. See Andrew Simmons, "Ecological Debt: the health of the planet and the wealth of nations", 2005: Pluto Press.
Background
Education for All
A UN initiative to promote universal primary education opportunities as a necessary component of poverty reduction. The efforts focus on assisting the marginalized, particularly girls, to secure access to a quality basic education.
Background
Empowerment
The conferment of a sense of self-actualization or authority to an individual, group of individuals or an organization.
Background
Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility
Facility established in 1987 to provide assistance on concessional terms to low-income member countries facing protracted balance of payments problems. Has been replaced in 2000 by the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF).
Background
Environmental Impact Assessment
A study done to determine the probable environmental impact of a proposed project, to assess possible alternatives and to create environmental mitigation plans for a project that may have significant environmental impacts.
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Environmental Strategy
Strategy adopted by the World Bank in relation to the environmental dimensions of World Bank policies.
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Environmentally and Financially Sustainable Development Network
ESSD is a World Bank network on issues related to agriculture and rural development, environment, and social development.
Background
ESAF-HIPC Trust
The trust for special ESAF operations for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Interim ESAF operations. The trust was established in February 1997 to channel special assistance to eligible HIPCs.
Background
European Development Fund
A source of funding for development projects in Europe: mainly used to co-finance: productive investment leading to the creation or maintenance of jobs; infrastructure; local development initiatives and the business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Background
Evaluation
Assessment of impacts of a programme or policy against its objectives.
Background
Executive Board
A committee of Executive Directors representing the decision-making forum for the World Bank and the IMF.
Background
Executive Directors
The Executive Directors are responsible for the World Bank and IMF daily activities in general. Five of the 24 EDs are appointed by the member countries having the largest number of shares in the Bank. The other countries are grouped into constituencies and represented by an Executive Director, elected every two years.
Background
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
EITI aims to ensure that revenues from extractive industries contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction. It was launched in September 2002 by British PM Tony Blair at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and is carried out by U.K. Department for International Development.
Background
Financial Sector Assessment Programme
Assessment undertaken by joint World Bank and IMF teams to determine the vulnerability of a country's financial sector and identify opportunities for restructuring and reform.
Background
First Generation Reforms
Conditionalities applied through IMF programmes, which focus on macroeconomic reforms to achieve macroeconomic stability, such as liberalisation of the exchange and interest rates.
Background
Free Prior and Informed Consent/Consultation
Free Prior and Informed Consent is an international requirement for development projects that has been recognised as customary law by the Inter American Court of Human Rights since 1984. FPIC is most relevant to the protection of indigenous populations from unwelcome incursion and investment into their resources. Free Prior and Informed Consultation is a 2005 World Bank amendment which threatens the autonomy and human rights of indigenous peoples by removing the need for consent.
Background
Front Loading
Disbursing the bulk of loans at the earlier part of the structural adjustment arrangements.
Background
G-24
Group of 24 countries formed at Lima in 1972 to represent the interests of the developing countries in negotiations on international monetary matters.
Background
G-7
Group of seven leading industrialized countries - USA, Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Germany and Canada.
Background
G-77
Group established in June 1964 by 77 developing countries to promote the collective economic interests of its members and enhances their joint negotiating capacity on major economic issues.
Background
G-8
G-7 and Russia, group created in Denver in 1997.
Background
General Agreement to Borrow
Special arrangement under which several industrialised countries stand ready to provide substantial temporary loans to the IMF to allow it to lend extra resources to countries to arrest crises which risk impairing the international monetary system.
Background
General Practices
Guidelines that operational staff of the Bank use.
Background
Global Development Gateway
A World Bank-initiated, Internet-based forum facilitating the provision and exchange of information regarding development.
Background
Global Development Network
World Bank-initiated network linking professionals and research institutes for development policy formulation.
Background
Global Environment Facility
This helps developing countries address global environmental challenges and meet their obligations in this area.
Background
Grant Element
Measures the concessionality of a loan expressed as the percentage by which the present value of the expected stream of repayments falls short of the repayments that would have been generated at a given reference rate of interest (usually market rate).
Background
Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries
Forty-one low-income countries whose external debt level is deemed to be unsustainable.
Background
Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
Arrangement for reducing multilateral, bilateral and private sector debt for the poorest, most indebted countries.
Background
Host Government Agreement
An HGA is a legal agreement between a foreign investor and the local government which is designed to reduce financial and political risks posed to investors by sudden changes in national law. If a country breaks an agreement by interrupting or modifying a project it must pay a penalty, which can risk deterring interventions necessary to protect rights and enforce national laws that apply elsewhere in the country.
Background
IDA 14
The 14th replenishment of the International Development Association's (IDA's) resources promised $33 billion to the world's 81 poorest countries during fiscal years 2006-2008. This represented a 25% increase since the previous replenishment.
Background
IDA Deputies
Individuals appointed by governments who contribute to the IDA (see below). The deputies negotiate each three-year IDA agreement to help determine the focus of the IDA and monitor its effectiveness.
Background
IMF Letter of Intent
Letter from a government to the IMF outlining planned economic reforms to be made in relation to receiving an IMF loan. It includes a matrix of conditions that must be implemented in order to access the IMF's resources.
Background
Independent Evaluation Office
A newly-formed, independent office to carry out independent evaluation of IMF activities, operations and programmes.
Background
Information Communication Technology
The use of technology for communication and information dissemination.
Background
Inspection Panel
This closely addresses the concerns of populations affected by the World Bank's operations and ensures they adhere to the institution's operational policies and procedures regarding the design, preparation and implementation of a project.
Background
Inter-American Development Bank
A financial institution responsible for the financing of social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Background
Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
Document which outlines actions the government intends to take to develop a full a full Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). It also contains details of intended macroeconomic policy reforms and may also include information on the country's poverty situation.
Background
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Otherwise known as the World Bank. The World Bank provides loans and development assistance to middle-income and lower-income countries with a stated aim of reducing poverty. Loans generally have a five-year grace period and must be repaid over a period of 15-20 years. The Bank obtains most of its funds through the sale of bonds in international capital markets and whilst not a profit maximizing organisation, has earned net income every year since 1948.
Background
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
A member of The World Bank Group, ICSID is an arbitration tribunal created in 1966 to settle investment disputes between governments and private foreign investors.
Background
International Development Association
The IDA offers assistance to the poorest countries, providing them with interest free loans, technical assistance and policy advice. The IDA is funded by wealthier nations and accounts for around 25 percent of all World Bank lending. IDA lends only to those countries that have a per capita income of less than $885 (1999 figures) and lack the financial ability to borrow from World Bank. At present, 78 countries are eligible to borrow from IDA.
Background
International Development Targets
A series of poverty reduction targets formulated at UN conferences which set goals for reducing absolute poverty levels, increasing primary school enrollment rates, reducing environmental degradation, etc by 2015.
Background
International Finance Corporation
Assists with private sector investments, primarily through mobilizing capital on international financial markets, and by providing technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses in developing countries. IFC has 174 members investing in 78 countries, with 40 percent of its investments in the financial sector.
Background
International Financial Institutions
Generic name given to all financial institutions operating on an international level, ranging from development banks, such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), and monetary authorities, such as the IMF.
Background
International Monetary and Finance Committee
This is comprised of IMF governors. It meets twice a year and is the political governing body of the IMF.
Background
International Monetary Fund
The IMF is an international organization of 183 member countries, established to promote international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements; to foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and to provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment.
Background
International Parliamentarians' Petition
Following scrutiny of IFI activities by parliaments in recipient countries, IPP is a petition of MPs calling for democratic accountability of IFIs.
Background
International Trade Organisation
Multilateral trade regime originally to form part of the Bretton Woods regime with the World Bank and IMF. Plans for this were shelved and it is not until 1995 with the formation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that this proposal was fulfilled.
Background
Joint IMF-World Bank Implementation Committee
Committee comprising World Bank and IMF staff. The committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and Poverty Reduction Strategies. For the latter, it prepares an assessment for both IMF and World Bank boards on the suitability of PRSPs.
Background
Least Developed Countries
Forty-eight poor and vulnerable countries, defined by the UN with an annual per capita income of less than US$ 1 per day.
Background
Low Income Countries Under Stress
LICUS is a World Bank initiative for engaging in countries with "very weak policies, institutions and governance - including those emerging from conflict".
Background
Lower Middle Income Countries
Countries with an annual per capita income of between US$ 766 and US$ 3035 in 1995.
Background
Middle Income Countries
MICs are defined by the World Bank as having: "1. Similar incomes (by definition between $3,036 and 9,385 per capita); 2. Better Policies (but not consistently so); 3. Better institutions (but not all); 4. Better access to external finance (but only 22 out of 69 were investment grade and another 20 had volatile access); 5. Alternatives to the Bank for funds and advice; a test of the Bank's value added." From WB Conference on Effectiveness of Policies and Reforms: 4/10/2004
Background
Monthly Operational Summary
A comprehensive listing of the World Bank's entire portfolio of proposed projects.
Background
Multilateral Agreement on Investment
A proposed agreement on investment negotiated between OECD countries with the aim of facilitating unrestricted capital investment flows between member countries. The proposed agreement which was supposed to take effect in 1998 has now been shelved but proposals are underfoot to incorporate the agreement into the WTO (see WTO) agreement.
Background
Multilateral Aid
Aid channelled through multilateral institutions for use in or on behalf of aid recipient countries.
Background
Multilateral Institution
International institution with governmental membership, spanning several regions, including financial institutions such as the World Bank and IMF, UN agencies and regional groupings.
Background
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
MIGA aims to encourage foreign investment by providing guarantee to foreign investors against loss caused by non-commercial risks in developing countries. MIGA also provides capacity building and advisory services to help poor countries attract foreign investment.
Background
National Strategy for Sustainable Development
A national action plan to achieve sustainable development goals. Each country is required to produce such a plan, after an agreement was reached at the UN Rio + 5 Conference.
Background
New Arrangement to Borrow
Arrangements under which 25 member countries would be ready to lend to the IMF under circumstances similar to those covered by the General Arrangements to Borrow.
Background
Northern Countries
High-income countries. Otherwise known as Developed countries.
Background
Odious Debt
An "odious debt" is incurred and used for ends which, to the knowledge of the creditors, are contrary to the interests of the nation. The term was coined by Alexander Nahum Sack in 1927 in the wake of the Spanish American war, and is used to describe debts incurred by contemporary despotic regimes which ought to be legally unenforceable unless as personal debts of the regime.
Background
Operational Directive
The only Bank policy statements that are approved by the board of executive directors and are mandatory for all Bank staff.
Background
Operational Policy
OPs are short focused statements of Bank policy derived from the Bank's Articles of Agreement, general conditions and board-approved policies.
Background
Operations
The use or receipt of monetary assets by the IMF, other than exchanges of monetary assets (transactions).
Background
Operations Evaluation Department
An independent evaluation unit reporting to the World Bank's executive directors, that rates the development impact and performance of all the Bank's completed lending operations. Results and recommendations are reported to the executive directors and fed back into the design and implementation of new policies and projects.
Background
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Group of thirty countries, mostly industrialised nations and transitional economies, membership of which is limited to countries sharing stated principles of "adherence to market economies, democracy, and respect for human rights".
Background
Paris Club
Informal association of credit country finance ministers and Central Bankers which meets to negotiate bilateral debt rescheduling agreements with indebted country governments.
Background
Part I Countries
Donors to the International Development Association (IDA) who pay their contributions in freely convertible currency.
Background
Part II Countries
Donor who are entitled to pay most of their contributions to the International Development Association (IDA) in local currency.
Background
Performance Criteria
Conditions on IMF loans which must be implemented in order to access the money.
Background
Phasing
The practice of making the IMF's resources available to its members in installments over the period of an arrangement. The pattern of phasing can be even, front-loaded of back-loaded depending on the financing needs and the speed of adjustment.
Background
Policy Development and Research Department
IMF department concerned with policy development and research. It ensures IMF policy is applied consistently through the country departments.
Background
Policy Framework Paper
Now replaced by the PRSPs. PFPs outlined the state of the economy and the programme of action to be carried out by a government, in particular, those related to its programme with the IMF.
Background
Post Conflict Assistance
Assistance given by the World Bank to debtor nations facilitating the transaction from dependence on debt relief to sustainable economic growth. It is administered by the Bank's Post-Conflict Unit.
Background
Poverty and Social Impact Assessment
PSIA includes a variety of 'tools' and techniques, drawn from both economic and social approaches, which are used in combination to analyse a reform.
Background
Poverty Assessment
These documents include household surveys, a poverty profile and beneficiary assessments. They also include information about the participation of partners and stakeholders.
Background
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility
The IMF's concessional lending facility, which provides finance for Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). Previously, this facility was called the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF).
Background
Poverty Reduction Strategy
Nationally-formulated strategies to reduce poverty. These aim to ensure broad stakeholder participation in formulating strategies, improve coordination among development partners and focus on combined resources of the international community to achieve poverty reduction goals.
Background
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
PRSPs describe the country's macroeconomic, structural and social policies and programmes to promote growth and reduce poverty, as well as associated external financing needs and major sources of financing. In order for a country to qualify for multilateral debt relief, it must produce a PRSP.
Background
Poverty Reduction Support Credit
Bank programme loan availability to countries in support of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
Background
PRGF Programme
Programme supported by the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility.
Background
Prior Actions
A type of conditionality. These conditions must be applied before a government has access to IMF lending.
Background
Private Enterprise Partnership
Established in 2000, PEP is the IFC's business advisory program and implementer of technical assistance projects in the countries of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia.
Background
Private Flows
Flows of money between countries owned by the private sector, for example, foreign direct investment.
Background
Private Sector Development Strategy
New strategy developed by the World Bank to reduce public sector spending on essential goods and services and by promoting private sector provision of public services, such as health and education. Decision on the adoption of this strategy will be taken in December 2001.
Background
Programme Aid
A type of structural adjustment loan used to help finance a government's budget, for example, the World Bank's Poverty Reduction Support Credit.
Background
Programme Lending
IMF, World Bank or other donor lending to support an adjustment programme.
Background
Project Appraisal Document
The main technical document of a project or sector loan that is extensive. It is only available to the public after a loan has been approved.
Background
Project Information Document
Document containing information on the background of the operation, objectives of the SAP, a loan description and a programme implementation.
Background
Project Lending
World Bank lending money to developing countries. Governments to fund projects aimed at aiding social development and alleviating poverty
Background
Quality Assurance Group
World Bank department which ensures greater discipline in project preparation and supervision.
Background
Quota
The capital subscription, expressed in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), that each member must pay to the IMF on joining. Up to 25 per cent is payable in SDRs or other acceptable reverse assets and the remainder in the members own currency. Quotas, which reflect member's relative size in the world economy, are normally reviewed every 5 years.
Background
Repurchase
Repayments on loan to IMF.
Background
Resettlement Plan
Interest and principal payment on an IMF loan.
Background
Safeguard Policies
These address environmental social rural and legal issues of Bank operations. They affect the quality of all Bank products and services.
Background
Second Generation Reform
Reforms imposed via IMF programmes which focus on refining structural aspects of the economy to achieve macroeconomic stability.
Background
Sector-Wide Approaches
Coordinated lending to a particular sector.
Background
Sectoral Investment Programme
Programmes of reforms focused on restructuring a particular sector if the economy to encourage growth.
Background
Small and Medium Enterprise
Definitions vary, but generally, enterprises employing between 50 and 250 workers, are commonly termed to be SMEs.
Background
Social Capital
Refers to the institutions relationships attitudes and values that govern interactions among people in society and contribute to economic and social development
Background
Social Safety Net
Public sector measures to protect the poor and vulnerable including public work schemes, unemployment benefits, food securities, etc.
Background
Southern Countries
Encompasses what is commonly termed as 'developing' and 'less developed' countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Background
Special Drawing Rights
The SDR is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves. It serves as the unit of account of the IMF and some other international organisations, including the World Bank, and based on five currencies—the US dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound sterling and, from 2016, the Chinese renminbi.
Background
Stand-By Arrangement
Non-concessionary IMF loans for stabilisation programmes.
Background
Strategic Partnership for Africa
Major coordinating instrument for aid to Africa. Group of bilateral donors and multilateral lenders who provide resources to African countries.
Background
Structural Adjustment Lending
Loans from IMF or World Bank for balance of payment assistance or budget support with attached policy or structural reform conditions.
Background
Structural Adjustment Loans
Large loans made by the World Bank or IMF to developing countries which may carry strict financial and budgetary obligations or required reforms intended to open recipient countries to private investment and increase the recipient's competitiveness in the global economy. Reforms are usually orientated towards liberalisation, privatisation and reduction in government expenditure.
Background
Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative
Joint World Bank, government and civil society initiative to review the impact of adjustment lending in seven borrowing countries.
Background
Supplemental Reserve Facility
A facility to provide financial assistance for countries experiencing exceptional capital account problems resulting from a sudden and disruptive loss of market confidence.
Background
Surveillance
IMF monitoring of member countries' macroeconomic policies and financial sectors.
Background
Technical Cooperation
Includes both (1) Grants to nationals of aid recipient countries receiving education or training at home or abroad and (2) Payments to consultants, advisors and similar personnel in recipient countries.
Background
Tranche
An installment of a loan: IMF loans are disbursed incrementally to ensure adherence to attached conditions.
Background
Transnational Corporation
Companies which operate in more than one country but retains ownership and control in its home country.
Background
User Fees
Charges for primary education and health care at the point of use, user fees were introduced in poor countries by the World Bank and other donors in the 1980-90's to tackle severe under-funding. The financial burden of user fees restricts access to basic resources and the World Bank states that it no longer supports them but is so far unable to eliminate them despite pressure to do so.
Background
World Bank Board
A committee of highly-ranked individuals who make final decisions regarding all relevant issues on behalf of the institution.
Background
World Bank Institute
Capacity development arm of the World Bank which delivers training and knowledge-sharing activities
Background
World Commission on Dams
The WCD was an independent, international, multi-stakeholder process which addressed the controversial issues associated with large dams, and whose report was released in 2000: "Dams and Development: A new framework for decision-making".
Background
World Development Report
WDR is the World Bank's major analytical publication, printed annually.
Background
World Trade Organisation
Multilateral trading organisation comprising of 142 countries (as of July 2001) who accede to four major treaties governing almost every area of trade. Ascension into the WTO binds all members to all treaties and all provisions within the treaties (subject to a few minor exceptions) although grace periods are granted to individual members states as to when implementation of treaty provisions take place. The four main WTO agreements are: the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS); and Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS).
