Background

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.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

Background

Development Economics Department

Department of the World Bank responsible for collecting, studying and sharing information relating to development.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

Background

Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia

6 September 2005 | Glossary

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.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

Background

Programme Lending

IMF, World Bank or other donor lending to support an adjustment programme.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

Background

Part I Countries

Donors to the International Development Association (IDA) who pay their contributions in freely convertible currency.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

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.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

Background

Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries

Forty-one low-income countries whose external debt level is deemed to be unsustainable.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

Background

Executive Board

A committee of Executive Directors representing the decision-making forum for the World Bank and the IMF.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

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.

6 September 2005 | Glossary

Background

Southern Countries

Encompasses what is commonly termed as 'developing' and 'less developed' countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

6 September 2005 | Glossary