Requested Disclosure of Board Records - Access to Information Consultation Memorandum 2021-3 - Case Number AI7436

Jul 19, 2026

This consultation memorandum notifies the Executive Directors that a specified Board record is responsive to an access request and is eligible for declassification and disclosure under the Bank’s Access to Information (“AI Policy”). The request concerns transcripts of Board meetings regarding Bangladesh’s World Bank membership application between April 10, 1971 and June 30, 1972. It explains eligibility under the Deliberative Information exception, outlines review and comment procedures, and describes handling of concerns via COGAM and potential further Board consideration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

Notification

Requested Board record scope and eligibility

Type, nature, and information classification

Requested transcripts and classification table

Access to Information Policy considerations

Declassification schedule and exceptional circumstances

Process

Review, comments, and escalation to COGAM

Views of the Access to Information Committee

Facilitating Executive Directors’ review

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Requested Disclosure of Board Records: Access to Information Consultation Memorandum 2021-3 (Case Number AI7436) 1. Notification: The Executive Directors are hereby notified that the Board record noted in paragraph 2 of this memorandum contains information that is responsive to a public request for access to certain records (Access to Information Case No. AI7436) . It has been determined by the Corporate Secretariat to be eligible for declassification and disclosure under the Bank’s Policy on Access to Information (“AI Policy”) . 2. Type, Nature and Information Classification of the Requested Board Record: The public request is for transcripts of Board meetings related to Bangladesh’s application for membership to the World Bank between April 10, 1971 and June 30, 1972. The Board record referred to in the following table has been determined to include information responsive to this request. | Document Title | Information Classification | ED’s office related to the document’s content | | --- | --- | --- | | Transcript of the IBRD IDA Board Meeting on May 23, 1972 | Strictly Confidential | EDS10-Austria (Wolf)<br>EDS12-Bangladesh | 3. Access to Information Policy Considerations: Under the AI Policy, information restricted only by the Deliberative Information exception is eligible for declassification and disclosure in accordance with the AI Policy’s declassification schedule. 1 The declassification schedule for transcripts of regular sessions of Board Committee meetings subject only to the Deliberative Information exception is ten years.2 As the record noted in paragraph 2 has been determined to be subject only to the AI Policy’s Deliberative Information exception and satisfies its corresponding declassification schedule age requirements, it is eligible for declassification and disclosure. The AI Policy provides that the Board may, under exceptional circumstances, exercise the Bank’s prerogative to restrict access to Board records that would normally be disclosed, if it determines that the disclosure of the records would likely cause harm that would outweigh the benefits of the disclosure.3 4. Process: Under procedures approved by the Board, this consultation memorandum is being submitted to Executive Directors, so they have an opportunity to review and comment on the disclosure of this Board record.4 Management is also consulted about the disclosure of Board records when relevant. After the closing date for comments, if concerns/objections have not been expressed by an Executive Director or management the Board record will be disclosed by management in accordance with the AI Policy. If any concerns/objections from an Executive 1 AI Policy, Section III.B. 6(a) and (b) . 2 AI Policy, Section III.B. 6(b)(ii). 3 AI Policy, Section IV.2(a). 4 Access to Information Policy: Streamlining Procedures for Disclosure of Board Records; R2016-0213[IDA/R2016- 0256] dated November 2, 2016, section 5(A) . Director and/or management are received, they will be submitted to COGAM, and subsequently to the Board, for further consideration.5 5. Views of the Access to Information Committee: Based on the AI Policy’s declassification schedule noted above and the Corporate Secretariat’s indication of the type, nature and information classification of the record at issue, it is the AIC’s view that the Board record listed in paragraph 2 is eligible for declassification under the AI Policy. 6. To Facilitate Executive Directors’ Review: The requested Board record in paragraph 2 notes Executive Directors relevant to the subject matter.6 Review of the transcripts prepared for disclosure can be arranged through the Corporate Secretariat’s Board Resource Center (ext: 81068, [brc@worldbank.org](brc@worldbank.org)). 5 Id at 5(A)(ii)-(iii) . 6 This determination is made by SEC for convenience purposes and does not preclude any other Executive Director from expressing concern

FAQs

What Board record is being considered for disclosure under the AI Policy?

The memorandum considers the Board record identified in paragraph 2, specifically the transcript of the IBRD/IDA Board meeting on May 23, 1972, related to Bangladesh’s membership application timeframe.

Why is the requested record eligible for declassification and disclosure?

Eligibility is based on the record being subject only to the Deliberative Information exception and satisfying the AI Policy’s declassification schedule requirements for transcripts of relevant regular sessions.

What is the process after this consultation memorandum is submitted to Executive Directors?

Executive Directors may review and comment; if no concerns or objections are expressed by the Executive Director or management by the closing date, disclosure proceeds according to the AI Policy. If concerns are raised, they are submitted to COGAM and then to the Board for further consideration.

Jul 19, 2026

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