World Bank Group Historical Chronology: 1990-1999

1990
1990	International events	Lithuania declares its independence from USSR. Elections in East Germany and Hungary bring down communist regimes. East and West Germany are reunited (October 3). Iraqi forces invade Kuwait (August 2). US sends forces and organizes international coalition against Iraq. UN imposes sanctions against Iraq. Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa and negotiates end of apartheid with F. W. de Klerk. Namibia becomes independent. Sandinista regime in Nicaragua agrees to free elections, and loses power to anti-Marxist coalition. Margaret Thatcher is replaced by John Major as British Prime Minister. Ornidyl, a new drug treatment for African sleeping sickness, is approved by WHO.
1990	January 1	Willi Wapenhans re-assumes Vice Presidency EMENA.
1990	January 30	The largest IBRD loan (in nominal terms) - $1,260 million to Mexico in support of that country's debt-reduction program, is approved.
1990	February 1	First funding for Croatia: Loan 3069 Istria Water Supply & Sewerage Project.
1990	February 1	First funding for Slovenia: Loan 3070 Istria & Slovene Coast Water Supply & Sewerage Project.
1990	February 20	President Conable travels to Poland, accompanied by Willi A. Wapenhans. He pledges support for reforms in Eastern Europe and Poland in particular.
1990	February 22	First funding for Poland: Loan 3166 Industrial Export Development Project.
1990	March	First operation under the Debt-Reduction Facility for IDA-Only Countries: $9.1 million to Bolivia.
1990	March 1	World Bank establishes Resident Mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina, headed by Ms. Myrna L. Alexander.
1990	March 19	Appointment of Mr. Stephen Eccles as Vice President and Controller.
1990	March 26	Announcement that IFC will open an office in Islamabad, Pakistan, headed by Mr. John Pott.
1990	March 30	Dr. Michael Irwin resigns as Director, Health Services Department and writes derogatory information about the Bank in the Wall Street Journal.
1990	March 30	First funding for Sub-Saharan Africa Region: Loan 3161 and Credit 2089 Regional Development Project (03).
1990	April 13	Announcement that the Bank has selected the design for the Main Complex Rehabilitation, following an international design competition.
1990	April 18	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Swaziland, becoming the 56th member of MIGA.
1990	April 20	Tonga becomes the 92nd member of ICSID.
1990	April 20	Environment Program for Mediterranean (EPM) becomes operational. The program is designed to provide coordinated financial support from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The two development banks, together with UNDP and the European Communities, fund the initial three-year cycle (1990-1993) of the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP).
1990	April 24	First funding for St. Lucia: Loan 3184 and Credit 2120 Water Supply Project.
1990	April 25	President Conable addresses the Bretton Woods Committee in Washington, DC, calling for better governance in African countries.
1990	May 1	IFC opens Regional Mission for Central Africa in Douala, Cameroon, headed by Mr. Roger Blondel.
1990	May 2	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Cape Verde, becoming the 135th member of IFC.
1990	May 15	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Botswana, becoming the 57th member of MIGA.
1990	May 21	Fourth Attitude Survey distributed to Bank staff.
1990	May 22	Yemen Arab Republic and Yemen PDR merge to form Republic of Yemen (bringing total IBRD membership to 151 and IFC membership to 135 and IDA membership to 137).
1990	June 5	Meeting of donors is held in Paris to plan the Africa Capacity Building Initiative, a joint program of the World Bank, UNDP, and the African Development Bank designed to improve local skills and institutions for policy analysis and economic management in Sub-Saharan Africa.
1990	June 6	Appointment of Dr. Bernhard H. Liese as Director, Health Services Department.
1990	June 14	World Bank approves its first transaction under the Expanded Cofinancing Operations (ECO) program a partially guaranteed $100 million fixed rate 15 year bond issue for India's Housing Development Finance Corporation.
1990	June 29	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Poland, becoming the 58th member of MIGA.
1990	June 30	Lending for education crosses the $1 billion mark for a fiscal year for the first time.
1990	July 1	World Bank establishes Resident Mission in Warsaw, Poland, headed by Mr. Ian M. Hume. IFC establishes Mission in Sao Paulo, Brazil, headed by Mr. Stanley R. Greig.
1990	August 1	IFC establishes Regional Mission for Southern Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, headed by Mr. Thomas Milton.
1990	August 2	Gulf Crisis begins when Iraqi forces invade Kuwait. Enhanced security measures are instituted for Bank staff in headquarters and field offices.
1990	September 1	IFC establishes a Resident Mission in Warsaw, Poland, headed by Mr. Anthony Doran. African Project Development Facility (APDF) establishes a Regional Office for Southern Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, headed by Mr. Omari M. Issa.
1990	September 1	President Conable travels to Hungary and Yugoslavia for meetings with government officials.
1990	September 10	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines, becoming the 59th member of MIGA.
1990	September 12	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Malta, becoming the 60th member of MIGA.
1990	September 20	Czechoslovakia rejoins the Bank, IFC, and IDA (bringing the total membership of IBRD to 152, IFC membership to 136 and IDA membership to 138). Czechoslovakia joins MIGA, becoming the 61st member.
1990	September 23	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Algeria, becoming the 137th member of IFC.
1990	September 23	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Romania, becoming the 138th member of IFC.
1990	September 24	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Fiji, becoming the 62nd member of MIGA.
1990	September 25	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Bulgaria, becoming the 153rd member of the Bank.
1990	September 25	IBRD, IFC and MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Namibia, becoming the 154th member of the Bank, the 139th member of IFC and the 63rd member of MIGA.
1990	September 25	President Conable opens Annual Meetings in Washington, DC, warning that the Gulf Crisis must not distract the world's attention from the plight of the poor.
1990	October	Second phase of Special Program of Assistance (SPA II) is launched. Eighteen donors pledge $7.4 billion in cofinancing to support adjustment programs in low-income, heavily indebted countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.
1990	October 3	Results of the fourth Attitude Survey are released to staff.
1990	October 29	Announcement that the full text of the Administrative Manual is available electronically through the All-in-1 system.
1990	November 14	President Conable travels to Moscow, and is the first World Bank President to visit the Soviet Union.
1990	November 28	The Global Environment Facility, jointly administered by the Bank, The United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Environment Programme, is launched via an announcement in Paris.
1990	December 28	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Mauritius, becoming the 64th member of MIGA.

1991
1991	International events	Gulf War breaks out (mid-January) as US-led alliance with sanction of UN invades Kuwait and Iraq, expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Iraq subjected to UN supervision of weapons and restrictions on military activities. Warsaw Pact annulled (April 1). Boris Yeltsin becomes President of Russia. Coup against Gorbachev fails in USSR. Chechnya declares its independence. USSR is dissolved, and some of the republics form the Commonwealth of Independent States. War begins in Yugoslavia as Slovenia and Croatia declare their independence. Yugoslavian (Serbian) Army invades Croatia, initiating a war that lasts into the mid 1990s. In South Africa, apartheid laws are repealed. Nelson Mandela is elected president of African National Congress. Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay sign Mercosur trade pact.
1991	January 14	Lawrence Summers takes office as Vice president for development economics and Chief Economist, replacing Stanley Fischer, who left the Bank in August 1990.
1991	January 23	The ninth replenishment of IDA resources in the amount of SDR 11.68 billion (approximately $15.5 billion) goes into effect for the three-year period fiscal 1991-1993. IDA Governors limit the combined allocation of IDA funds to the two largest active borrowers (China and India) to 30 percent.
1991	January 30	Announcement on security and travel arrangements is issued. Due to Gulf War crisis, operational travel is suspended to fourteen countries, and is restricted (possible only with Country Director's approval) for another nineteen countries. Increased security measures will be implemented at headquarters and field offices.
1991	February	African Capacity Building Initiative (ACBI) is launched.
1991	February 14	IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Mongolia, becoming the 155th member of the Bank, the 140th member of IFC, and the 139th member of IDA.
1991	February 14	IFC establishes the Polish Business Advisory Services (PBAS) in Warsaw, Poland, to provide financial and technical advisory services for emerging businesses and entrepreneurs in Poland.
1991	March 1	IFC establishes Resident Mission in Budapest, Hungary, headed by Mr. Dennis T. Koromzay. IFC establishes Resident Mission in Prague, Czechoslovakia, headed by Mr. Vikas Thapar.
1991	March 6	President Conable advised the Board of Executive Directors that he does not intend to seek a second term as Bank Group President.
1991	March 13	Announcement that the resolution of the Gulf Crisis means that the recently instituted enhanced security restrictions may be eased for Bank staff.
1991	March 14	Executive Directors approve the Resolution on the establishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with World Bank as administrator, in partnership with United Nations Development Program, and the United Nations Environment Program. Wilfried Thalwitz is appointed Chairman. The Global Environmental Facility was created to provide grants to developing countries to finance projects and activities to protect the global environment.
1991	March 18	Gregory K. Ingram appointed Administrator, Research Advisory Staff.
1991	April 1	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Central African Republic, becoming the 141st member of IFC.
1991	April 11	Executive Directors select Lewis T. Preston to succeed Barber Conable as President of the World Bank Group upon Mr. Conable's retirement on August 31, 1991.
1991	April 12	Technical Assistance Review Task Force is created to examine the Bank's role and performance in delivering technical assistance. The Task Force report is due July, 1991.
1991	April 15	European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is established.
1991	April 23	Appointment of Mr. Ian Johnson as Administrator, Global Environment Facility.
1991	May 10	IFC launches the South Pacific Project Facility, to provide technical assistance to private entrepreneurs of the South Pacific Region to help develop small-to-medium sized enterprises.
1991	May 10	Death of Bela Balassa, international development economics specialist, who served as consultant to the Bank in many influential roles since 1968.
1991	June	IFC's Board of Directors approved an increase in the Corporation's capital to $2,3000 million.
1991	June 1	Australia becomes the 93rd member of ICSID.
1991	June 1	Mohamed T. El-Ashry is appointed Director of the Environment Department, replacing Kenneth Piddington, who served as Environment Director since April 1988.
1991	June 11	Report on follow-up activities to the fourth Attitude Survey is released.
1991	June 14	First funding for St. Kitts and Nevis: Loan 3332 and Credit 2248 Agricultural Development Support Project.
1991	June 17	President Barber Conable commissions an independent review of the ongoing implementation of the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) projects in India, which are partially financed by the World Bank. Mr. Bradford Morse is appointed to head the commission which will study the environmental and resettlement issues associated with the project.
1991	June 23	Grenada becomes the 94th member of ICSID.
1991	June 30	China replaces India as the largest IDA borrower.
1991	July 14	Mongolia becomes the 95th member of ICSID.
1991	July 18	World Bank publishes a Forest Policy Paper, announcing that it will not, under any circumstances, finance commercial logging in primary tropical moist forests (TMFs). In addition, the financing of infrastructure projects which may lead to the loss of primary forests will be subject to the rigorous environmental assessments that the Bank conducts for projects that raise environmental and resettlement issues.
1991	July 22	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Bulgaria, becoming the 142nd member of IFC. First funding for Bulgaria: Loan 3384 - Technical Assistance for Economic Reform Project.
1991	July 26	First funding for Angola: Credit 2274 - Economic Management Capacity Building Project.
1991	July 31	First funding for Czech Republic/Slovak Republic: Loan 3374 - Structural Adjustment Loan Project.
1991	August 13	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Ethiopia, becoming the 65th member of MIGA.
1991	August 27	Executive Directors approve a $30 million Trust Fund to finance a program of technical cooperation to help the Soviet Union move toward a market economy.
1991	August 29	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Luxembourg, becoming the 66th member of MIGA.
1991	September	The World Bank and the Environment, the Bank's first annual report to the public on its environmental activities, is published.
1991	September	World Bank's poverty policy paper Assistance Strategies to Reduce Poverty is issued.
1991	September 1	Lewis T. Preston becomes the eighth President of the Bank.
1991	September 17	President Preston announces a limited reorganization of the Bank, establishing three managing directors in the office of the President: Attila Karaosmanoglu, Sven Sandstrom, and Ernest Stern.
1991	October 3	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Bolivia, becoming the 67th member of MIGA.
1991	October 7	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Dominica, becoming the 68th member of MIGA.
1991	October 15	IBRD, IFC, IDA, and MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Albania, becoming the 156th member of the Bank, the 143rd member of IFC, the 140th member of IDA, and the 69th member of MIGA.
1991	October 15	President Preston opens Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, saying that the reduction of poverty is the "overarching objective" of the Bank.
1991	October 16	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Republic of Congo, becoming the 70th member of MIGA.
1991	October 21	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Papua New Guinea, becoming the 71st member of MIGA.
1991	October 24	Chile becomes the 96th member of ICSID.
1991	October 31	Announcement that Vice President Willi Wapenhans will retire from the Bank, after 32 years of service, effective October 1992. In the interim period, he will work on special assignments for the President.
1991	November 1	Visvanathan Rajagopolan becomes Chairman of Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
1991	November 7	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Sudan, becoming the 72nd member of MIGA.
1991	November 14	Albania becomes the 97th member of ICSID.
1991	November 19	Executive Directors authorize the Bank to negotiate a partial guarantee for a $360 million commercially syndicated loan to support the Hub Power Project in Pakistan. Total project cost is expected to be $1.5 billion, and is cosponsored by the Export-Import Bank of Japan.
1991	November 30	Senior Vice President Moeen A. Qureshi retires from the Bank after 21 years of service in the Bank.
1991	December 1	World Bank establishes Resident Mission in Moscow, Soviet Union, headed by Mr. Everardus Stoutjesdijk.
1991	December 1	Senior staff appointments: Johannes Linn appointed Vice President, Financial Policy and Risk Management; Joseph Wood Appointed Vice President, South Asia ;Wilfried Thalwitz appointed Vice President, Europe and Central Asia; Caio Koch-Weser appointed Vice President, Middle East and North Africa; Gautam Kaji appointed Vice President, East Asia and Pacifica. Mohamed T. El-Ashry appointed Chairman of the Global Environment Facility.
1991	December 1	Richard Stern appointed Manager, Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP); Barbara Searle appointed Ombudsman.
1991	December 2	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Peru, becoming the 73rd member of MIGA.
1991	December 5	In Washington, President Preston meets with President Nelson Mandela, President of the African National Congress, to discuss the Bank's role in post-apartheid South Africa.
1991	December 6	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Malaysia, becoming the 74th member of MIGA.
1991	December 12	First grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is approved a $4.5 million project to protect the biological diversity of two endangered forest ecosystems in Poland.
1991	December 12	First Aid Coordination meeting for Lebanon is convened by the World Bank in Paris, attended by eleven governments and fifteen international aid organizations.
1991	December 15	World Bank establishes Resident Mission in Managua, Nicaragua, headed by Mr. Ulrich Lachler.
1991	December 20	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by El Salvador, becoming the 75th member of MIGA.
1991	December 27	First funding for Mongolia: Credit 2321 Technical Assistance Project.
1991	December 31	The Soviet Union officially ceases to exist.

1992
1992	International events	Bosnia-Herzegovina becomes independent, sparking ethnic violence between Muslims and Serbs. UN peacekeeping force established. US sends troops to Somalia, under UN auspices, on humanitarian mission. In China, Deng Xiaoping reaffirms free market economic growth. Peace accords end twelve years of civil war in El Salvador. Crisis occurs in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, United Kingdom forced to leave. UN-sponsored environment conference held in Brazil results in 150 nations signing a Convention on Biological Diversity.
1992	January 1	World Bank establishes a Resident Mission in Cairo, Egypt, headed by Mr. Sven Burmester.
1992	January 6	Entire northwest business section of Washington, D. C. suffers an electrical power outage. Evacuation of Bank buildings proceeded smoothly, with no major injuries reported.
1992	January 10	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Equatorial Guinea, becoming the 144th member of IFC.
1992	January 29	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Lao People's Democratic Republic, becoming the 145th member of IFC.
1992	February 4	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Yugoslavia, becoming the 76th member of MIGA.
1992	February 5	President Preston begins a ten day trip to Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
1992	February 11	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Argentina, becoming the 77th member of MIGA.
1992	February 11	Bank announces that 130 higher level and requisite complement of support staff will be hired in order to respond to the expansion of the Bank's business resulting from the new memberships of the Commonwealth of Independent States following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
1992	February 19	Former World Bank President Eugene Black dies in Southampton, N.Y. at the age of 93. Mr. Black was President from 1949 to 1962.
1992	March 1	Jessica Einhorn is appointed Vice President and Treasurer, succeeding Donald Roth.
1992	March 3	World Bank issues press release denying reports in the Mexican press that the World Bank advocated the legalization of abortion in Latin America. The statement said that the Bank recognizes that abortion is a health issue that needs to be addressed, but that legal issues are for the countries themselves to decide.
1992	April 1	Resident Mission in Bulgaria opens, headed by John Wilton. Resident Mission in Romania opens, headed by Arntraud Hartmann.
1992	April 8	Czechoslovakia becomes the 98th member of ICSID.
1992	April 10	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Zimbabwe, becoming the 78th member of MIGA.
1992	April 30	Hugh Scott, Associate General Counsel, retires from Bank. Mr. David Goldberg succeeds him.
1992	May 4	The Board approves a $1 billion increase in the authorized capital of the IFC, bringing total authorized capital to $2.3 billion.
1992	May 11	Operational Directive on poverty reduction and the Poverty Reduction Handbook are issued in the Bank.
1992	May 20	Memo to staff regarding the work of the Advisory Group on Higher-Level Women's issues, and how the recommendations will be implemented.
1992	May 21	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Marshall Islands, becoming the 157th member of the Bank.
1992	May 21	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Israel, becoming the 79th member of MIGA.
1992	May 29	IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Switzerland, becoming the 158th member of the Bank, the 146th member of IFC, and the 141st member of IDA.
1992	June 4	The Second United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED II, or "Earth Summit") is held in Rio de Janeiro. President Preston addresses the conference, saying that promoting development and protecting the environment are complementary aspects of the same agenda.
1992	June 10	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Uganda, becoming the 80th member of MIGA.
1992	June 12	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Nicaragua, becoming the 81st member of MIGA.
1992	June 16	IBRD and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by the Russian Federation, becoming the 159th member of the Bank and the 142nd member of IDA.
1992	June 17	Tanzania becomes the 99th member of ICSID.
1992	June 18	The report of the Independent Review of the Sardor Sarovar Project, chaired by Bradford Morse, is published. Initial Bank response by President Preston says that continued support of the project is warranted and promises that the problems will be addressed vigorously and comprehensively. (Bank participation in the project was canceled in 1995.)
1992	June 19	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Tanzania, becoming the 82nd member of MIGA.
1992	June 23	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Estonia, becoming the 160th member of the Bank.
1992	June 29	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Belize, becoming the 83rd member of MIGA.
1992	June 29	First funding for Albania: Credit 2404 Critical Imports Project.
1992	June 30	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Honduras, becoming the 84th member of MIGA.
1992	June 30	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Paraguay, becoming the 85th member of MIGA.
1992	July 1	IFC reorganizes into Regional Departments and Specialist Departments.
1992	July 1	World Bank opens Resident Mission in Budapest, Hungary, headed by Andrew Rogerson.
1992	July 2	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Trinidad and Tobago, becoming the 86th member of MIGA.
1992	July 6	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Lithuania, becoming the 161st member of the Bank.
1992	July 9	Ikira Iida becomes Executive Vice President of MIGA.
1992	July 10	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Belarus, becoming the 162nd member of the Bank.
1992	July 13	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Comoros, becoming the 147th member of IFC.
1992	July 14	World Bank establishes Resident Mission in Tirana, Albania, headed by Kutlay Ebiri.
1992	July 23	IBRD and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Kazakhstan, becoming the 163rd member of the Bank and the 143rd member of IDA.
1992	July 23	Estonia becomes the 100th member of ICSID.
1992	August 5	Lithuania becomes the 101st member of ICSID.
1992	August 7	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Georgia, becoming the 164th member of the Bank.
1992	August 9	Belarus becomes the 102nd member of ICSID.
1992	August 11	IBRD and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Latvia, becoming the 165th member of the Bank and the 14th member of IDA.
1992	August 12	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Moldova, becoming the 166th member of the Bank.
1992	August 18	New operational travel policies announced, defining when business class and first class seating is allowable.
1992	August 28	Work-Family Agenda recommendations announced to the Bank staff.
1992	September 3	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Ukraine, becoming the 167th member of the Bank.
1992	September 6	Georgia becomes the 103rd member of ICSID.
1992	September 8	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Mauritania, becoming the 87th member of MIGA.
1992	September 10	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Romania, becoming the 88th member of MIGA.
1992	September 11	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by The Gambia, becoming the 89th member of MIGA.
1992	September 15	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Seychelles, becoming the 90th member of MIGA.
1992	September 16	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Armenia, becoming the 168th member of the Bank.
1992	September 17	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Morocco, becoming the 91st member of MIGA.
1992	September 18	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Azerbaijan, becoming the 169th member of the Bank.
1992	September 18	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Republic of Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic), becoming the 170th member of the Bank.
1992	September 18	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Belgium, becoming the 92nd member of MIGA.
1992	September 21	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Uzbekistan, becoming the 171st member of the Bank.
1992	September 22	IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by Turkmenistan, becoming the 172nd member of the Bank.
1992	September 23	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Marshall Islands, becoming the 148th member of IFC.
1992	September 23	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Bulgaria, becoming the 93rd member of MIGA.
1992	September 23	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Azerbaijan, becoming the 94th member of MIGA.
1992	September 24	IDA Articles of Agreement signed by republic of Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic) , becoming the 145th member of IDA.
1992	September 24	IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Uzbekistan, becoming the 146th member of IDA.
1992	September 24	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Estonia, becoming the 95th member of MIGA.
1992	September 30	New operational travel policy guidelines become effective.
1992	October 1	World Bank establishes Resident Mission for Central Asia in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to serve Kyrghyzstan, Tadjikistan and Turkmenistan. The Resident Mission is headed by Mr. Parvez Hasan.
1992	October 2	First funding for Estonia: Loan 3522 Rehabilitation Loan Project.
1992	October 16	Armenia becomes the 104th member of ICSID.
1992	October 16	World Bank reorganization is announced. Vice Presidency for Sector and Operations Policy is replaced by three new vice presidencies: Human Resources Development and Operations Policy, headed by Armeane Choksi; Finance and Private Sector Development, headed by Jean-Francois Rischard; and Environmentally Sustainable Development, headed by Ismail Serageldin. All research is consolidated under the Chief Economist and Vice President for Development Economics. Regional Technical Departments are made smaller and the sector operations divisions are strengthened.
1992	October 18	Azerbaijan becomes the 105th member of ICSID.
1992	October 22	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Mali, becoming the 96th member of MIGA.
1992	October 23	First funding for Lithuania: Loan 3524 Rehabilitation Loan Project.
1992	October 23	First funding for Latvia: Loan 3525 Rehabilitation Loan Project.
1992	October 26	Turkmenistan becomes the 106th member of ICSID.
1992	November 1	The Executive Board increases in size from twenty-two to twenty-four Executive Directors with a nonelected seat created for Saudi Arabia and an additional seat for Switzerland and other constituents.
1992	November 2	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Belarus, becoming the 149th member of IFC.
1992	November 3	The report of the Task Force on Portfolio Management (the "Wapenhans Report") is transmitted to the Executive Directors.
1992	November 4	ITF announces plans for Enterprise Network (EN) to all staff.
1992	November 16	First funding for Russian Federation: Loan 3513 Rehabilitation Loan Project.
1992	December 3	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Belarus, becoming the 97th member of MIGA.
1992	December 29	IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Portugal, becoming the 147th member of IDA.
1992	December 29	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by the Russian Federation, becoming the 98th member of MIGA.
1992	December 29	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Georgia, becoming the 99th member of MIGA.

1993
1993	International events	Czechoslovakia splits into Czech Republic and Slovakia. Maastricht Treaty comes into effect. European Union members agree to introduce a common currency, drop all trade barriers, and accept a common defense and foreign policy. Israel signs peace agreement with PLO. Cambodia is restored to constitutional monarchy under King Norodom Sihanouk. Russian President Yeltsin survives a referendum on his government and crushes Supreme Soviet rebellion. A new constitution is adopted and new Duma is elected.
1993	January 1	Czechoslovakia ceases to exist, and is replaced by the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. IBRD, IFC, IDA and MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Czech Republic, becoming the 172nd member of the Bank, the 149th member of IFC, the 147th member of IDA, and the 99th member of MIGA. IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Slovak Republic, becoming the 173rd member of the Bank, the 150th member of IFC, the 148th member of IDA, and the 100th member of MIGA.
1993	January 6	Occupational Streams concept is introduced in a memo to all staff.
1993	January 7	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Brazil, becoming the 101st member of MIGA.
1993	January 13	Memo sent to staff regarding the reorganization-related and Main Complex Rehabilitation office moves. GSD estimates that over 4,000 staff will move offices within the next six months.
1993	January 15	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Lithuania, becoming the 151st member of IFC.
1993	January 19	IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Marshall Islands, becoming the 149th member of IDA.
1993	January 21	President Preston sends a memo to staff regarding the results of the Task Force on Portfolio Management (Wapenhans Report) and what it will mean for Bank business.
1993	February 6	China becomes the 107th member of ICSID.
1993	February 11	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Republic of Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic), becoming the 152nd member of IFC.
1993	February 23	No Smoking policy implemented in all Bank Group buildings.
1993	February 25	Yugoslavia ceases membership in IBRD and IFC (bringing total IBRD membership to 172, IFC membership to 151, and IDA membership to 148). IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, becoming the 173rd member of the Bank, the 152nd member of IFC, and 149th member of IDA.
1993	February 25	IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Croatia, becoming the 174th member of the Bank, the153rd member of IFC and the 150th member of IDA.
1993	February 25	IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Macedonia, becoming the 175th member of the Bank, the 154th member of IFC and the 151st member of IDA.
1993	February 25	IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Slovenia, becoming the 176th member of the Bank, the 155th member of IFC and the 152nd member of IDA.
1993	March 1	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Uruguay, becoming the 102nd member of MIGA.
1993	March 15	First funding for Moldova: Loan 3569 Emergency Drought Recovery Project.
1993	March 19	Yugoslavia ceases to be a member of MIGA, bringing the total membership in MIGA to 101.
1993	March 19	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, becoming the 102nd member of MIGA.
1993	March 19	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Croatia, becoming the 103rd member of MIGA.
1993	March 19	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Macedonia, becoming the 104th member of MIGA.
1993	March 19	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Slovenia, becoming the 105th member of MIGA.
1993	April 5	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Libya, becoming the 106th member of MIGA.
1993	April 7	First funding for Armenia: Loan 3585 - Institution Building Loan Project.
1993	April 7	First funding for Eritrea: Credit 2478 Recovery and Rehabilitation Project for Eritrea.
1993	April 12	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Russian Federation, becoming the 156th member of IFC.
1993	April 23	Czech Republic replaces the former Czechoslovakia (which ceased to exist January 1, 1993) as member in ICSID, becoming member number 107.
1993	May 10	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Cape Verde, becoming the 107th member of MIGA.
1993	May 18	President Preston sends memo to staff about progress in the Main Complex Rehabilitation Project, indicating that there is expected to a cost overrun from the original estimates.
1993	May 20	First funding for Kyrgyz Republic: Credit 2491 Rehabilitation Credit project.
1993	May 27	Costa Rica becomes the 108th member of ICSID.
1993	June 4	IBRD and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Tajikistan, becoming the 177th member of IBRD, and the 153rd member of IDA.
1993	June 8	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Lithuania, becoming the 108th member of MIGA.
1993	June 9	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Moldova, becoming the 109th member of MIGA.
1993	June 9	President Preston sends memo to staff announcing the Business Innovation and Simplification (BIAS) Committee.
1993	June 24	IBRD, IFC and IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Federated States of Micronesia, becoming the 178th member of IBRD, the 157th member of IFC and the 154th member of IDA.
1993	June 25	President Preston reports to staff on progress on women's representation among higher level staff.
1993	June 25	First funding for Ukraine: Loan 3614 Institution Building Project.
1993	July	Construction completed on Phase I of the New Main Complex, and 2,000 staff begin moves to new office space.
1993	July 1	Simplified budget process, including dollar budgeting, becomes operational in the Bank.
1993	July 1	President Preston admitted to Georgetown University Hospital for heart surgery; Ernest Stern is designated Acting President.
1993	July 9	Executive Directors approve the recommendations of the report Portfolio Management: Next Steps A Program of Actions. All Bank staff are encouraged the read the report. Project implementation is to be improved by increasing participation by borrowers, simplification of project design, and more emphasis on the entire country portfolio rather than individual projects.
1993	July 14	World Bank releases the main conclusions of its internal investigation into cost overruns in the Main Complex Rehabilitation Project. Budget overruns of nearly $50 million are blamed on unrealistically low original project estimates. No financial impropriety is alleged.
1993	July 24	Federated States of Micronesia becomes the 109th member of ICSID.
1993	August 1	World Bank establishes a Resident Mission in Almaty, Kazakhstan, headed by Mr. David Pearce.
1993	August 9	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Estonia, becoming the 158th member of IFC.
1993	August 11	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Federated States of Micronesia, becoming the 110th member of MIGA.
1993	August 12	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Kazakhstan, becoming the 111th member of MIGA.
1993	August 13	First funding for Belarus: Loan 3640 - Institution Building Loan project.
1993	August 25	IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Armenia, becoming the 155th member of IDA.
1993	August 26	Executive Directors approve a new information disclosure policy, Expanding Access to Bank Information. Actions resulting from the policy include: a new Project Information Document (PID); public disclosure of Environmental Assessments (EAs), Project appraisal reports, Summaries of Evaluation reports, and country economic and sector reports. A new Public information Center will be established to provide information on Bank Group activities.
1993	August 30	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Greece, becoming the 112th member of MIGA.
1993	August 31	IDA Articles of Agreement signed by Georgia, becoming the 156th member of IDA.
1993	September 1	Michael Bruno is appointed Vice President, Development Economics and Chief Economist, replacing Lawrence Summers, who left the Bank in January 1993.
1993	September 8	Peru becomes the 110th member of ICSID.
1993	September 10	Bank issues Developing the Occupied Territories: An Investment in Peace, an assessment of the economies of the West Bank and Gaza strip.
1993	September 16	Bank issues Water Resources Management policy paper, outlining Bank assistance in the economic, environmental and equitable use of water resources.
1993	September 21	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Kyrgyz Republic, becoming the 113th member of MIGA.
1993	September 22	The independent Inspection Panel is established, with the mandate to receive and investigate complaints that the Bank has not followed its own policies and procedures with respect to the design, appraisal, or the implementation of development projects. The first members of the panel are announced April 22, 1994.
1993	September 28	World Bank agrees to provide over $1.8 billion in loans to Mexico for environmental projects over the next three years. The loans will finance projects in water supply, sanitation, industrial pollution control, protection of natural resources, capacity building, and education.
1993	September 29	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Latvia, becoming the 159th member of IFC.
1993	September 30	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Uzbekistan, becoming the 160th member of IFC.
1993	September 30	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Kazakhstan, becoming the 161st member of IFC.
1993	October 1	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Turkmenistan, becoming the 114th member of MIGA.
1993	October 1	World Bank and European Investment Bank (EIB) announce the second three-year phase of the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP). METAP II has a broadened geographic scope, an increased scale of operations, and a sharper focus on water quality, urban environmental management and domestic capacity building.
1993	October 15	First funding for Kazakhstan: Loan 3649 Rehabilitation Loan Project.
1993	October 18	IFC Articles of Agreement signed by Ukraine, becoming the 162nd member of IFC.
1993	October 19	World Bank establishes two trust funds to provide assistance to the West Bank and Gaza strip. The trust funds will support emergency rehabilitation, provide technical assistance, and finance feasibility studies.
1993	October 20	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by United Arab Emirates, becoming the 115th member of MIGA.
1993	October 22	First funding for Uzbekistan: Loan 3650 Institution Building / Technical Assistance Project.
1993	October 26	First meeting of the Consultative Group for Moldova meets in Paris.
1993	November 4	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Uzbekistan, becoming the 116th member of MIGA.
1993	November 5	First funding for Cambodia: Credit 2550 - Emergency Rehabilitation Project.
1993	November 16	Bilsel Alisbah retires as Vice President, Personnel and Administration.
1993	November 18	Headquarters Construction Department, headed by Enrico Henriod, is created to oversee the construction of the new Bank buildings.
1993	November 19	President Preston sends memo to all staff concerning cost overruns in Main Complex Rehabilitation Project. The project is now estimated to be $100 million over budget. Cost overruns are due to unrealistically low budget estimates and lack of attention by senior management , but not to financial impropriety. A set of actions to correct the situation is described.
1993	November 29	World Bank hosts conference to build consensus on an agenda to reduce world hunger. Former US President Carter and UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali address the conference in Washington. World Bank President Lewis Preston says the Bank will expand support for micro-level credit programs.
1993	December 15	President Preston congratulates participants on the completion of the Uruguay Round of the GATT trade negotiations.
1993	December 17	The tenth replenishment of IDA resources becomes effective with a commitment authority of SDR 13 billion (equivalent to $18 billion) for the three-year period fiscal 1993-1996.

1994
1994	International events	North America Free Trade Association (NAFTA) goes into effect between Canada, US, and Mexico. Zapatista revolt breaks out in southern Mexico. Nelson Mandela elected first black President of South Africa; South Africa rejoins the British Commonwealth. In Rwanda, civil war and genocide trigger UN intervention and an International Criminal Tribunal. Russian forces invade the breakaway republic of Chechnya. US forces intervene in Haiti to oust military government and restore President Aristide to power. UN troops attempt to maintain "safe areas" for Muslims in Bosnian civil war. Serbs become even more aggressive, taking UN peacekeepers hostage. Israel and Jordan sign peace treaty. Mexican financial crisis sends shockwaves throughout Latin America. Channel Tunnel connects Britain and France.
1994	January	World Bank establishes a Resident Mission in Kingston, Jamaica, headed by Mr. Robert V. Pulley.
1994	January 1	Jannik Lindbaek becomes Executive Vice President of the IFC.
1994	January 3	The Public Information Center at the Bank's headquarters is opened.
1994	January 6	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by India, becoming the 117th member of MIGA.
1994	January 6	In West Africa, the CFA franc is devalued for the first time since its creation, changing a critical parameter for Bank policy in that region.
1994	January 16	S. Shahid Husain is appointed Vice President, Personnel and Administration. Shahid Javed Burki is appointed Vice President Latin America and Caribbean Region.
1994	February 8	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by the Philippines, becoming the 118th member of MIGA.
1994	February 8	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Costa Rica, becoming the 119th member of MIGA.
1994	February 9	MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Nepal, becoming the 120th member of MIGA.
1994	February 14	First funding for Macedonia: Credit 2564 Economic Recovery Loan Project.
1994	March 1	World Bank announces a series of events to commemorate International Women's Day and to re-confirm the Bank's commitment to bring women into the mainstream of development and economic growth. Speakers include US Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, Nancy Barry, Dorothy Thomas, Sally Helgesen, and Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, and others.
1994

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