World Bank to launch anti-corruption project

TIRANA, Dec. 5 – The World Bank held consultations with local factors on its enhanced Governance and Anti-Corruption (GAC) Strategy, which has been discussed by its policy-setting panel, the Development Committee. The consultations will continue over the coming months and the findings will be reflected in a progress report to be sent to the Bank’s Board before the Spring Meetings in 2007, a statement said. Key stakeholders like the government, members of the parliament, the private sector, civil society organizations, and donors will be asked to review and provide feedback on the paper; that feedback will lead to revised guidelines for World Bank staff. “The consultations will help guide the Bank in implementing the new GAC approach, which is centered on a greater awareness of these issues in the Bank’s lending and advisory work with member countries,” according to the statement.
The Bank’s approach is expected to be applied to more projects, where appropriate, under the new plan. Innovative approaches in addressing corruption and weak governance that have proved to be successful in some countries will help guide World Bank teams as they help countries to develop capable and accountable states that deliver services to the poor, promote growth led by the private sector, and tackle corruption effectively. A draft work plan for the implementation of the GAC strategy has been prepared and was endorsed by the Board of Executive Directors on November 9. The Bank’s senior management is promoting full understanding of the governance and anticorruption work plan to ensure that subsequent consultations with external groups are well-informed and effective. This period of consultations is expected to continue into 2007, and the Bank will seek guidance and opinion from key external stakeholders throughout the process of refining the implementation of the GAC plan.