This paper discusses how the IMF and the World Bank differ from each other. The IMF is small and, unlike the World Bank, has no affiliates or subsidiaries. Most IMF staff members work at headquarters in Washington, D.C., although three small offices are maintained in Paris, Geneva, and at the...

This paper, prepared by a working group of IMF staff, provides a preliminary assessment of the risks and potential impact to the global economy and financial system from a possible avian flu pandemic, discusses the IMF’s role in helping member countries prepare their economic and financial...

During his tenure as Managing Director of the IMF, and in his interactions with civil society, Michel Camdessus was asked many questions related to the IMF's role in development. This pamphlet collects questions frequently asked by civil society around the world and the responses given by Mr....

Good governance is important for countries at all stages of development. Our approach is to concentrate on those aspects of good governance that are most closely related to our surveillance over macroeconomic policies- namely, the transparency of government accounts, the effectiveness of public...

Against the background of the changing international economic environment, this pamphlet examines the general rationale for IMF financial support and the relationship between such support and IMF surveillance in carrying out the IMF's responsibility to seek to avoid and help to correct...

This pamphlet considers some of the issues and concerns that underlie the IMF's approach to fiscal adjustment-namely, the ways governments can use their fiscal stabilization and structural policies to achieve macroeconomic objectives relating to growth, inflation, and the balance of payments. It...

In recent years, observers have called on the IMF to pay closer attention to certain issues that do not fall directly within its mandate, such as the environment. This booklet reviews IMF's approach to environmental issues and when and how the IMF integrates environmental concerns into its work

This paper discusses reasons functions of the IMF, why it needs more resources, and how these resources will be used. The IMF provides a forum for cooperation, having as its objective the balanced expansion of international trade in order to stimulate employment and improve economic conditions...

This paper analyzes legal impact of the Articles of Agreement of the IMF on the business transactions of private persons and corporations. At the heart of the Articles is the simple idea that the member states of the IMF should observe certain rules of good conduct in monetary policy, and that...

This paper discusses the promotion of IMF Stand-By Arrangements (SBAs), the drafting of private loan agreements, and order in international finance. The IMF approves a SBA or an extended arrangement for the benefit of a member country of the IMF only if the member presents to the IMF a letter of...