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Frequently Asked Questions
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The Board of Executive Directors (the Board) is responsible for conducting the day-to-day business of the World Bank. It is composed of 24 Directors, who are appointed or elected by member countries or by groups of countries, and the President, who serves as its Chairman. Regular meetings are usually held once or twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other meetings are held at various other times whenever required.
How many Board members are there?
There are 24 Executive Directors and 24 Alternate Executive Directors representing the 184 member countries.
What is the role of the Executive Director?
An Executive Director (or Alternate) fulfills a dual function, as an official of the Bank and as a representative of the member country or countries, that appointed or elected him.
Under the Bank's Articles, the Executive Directors are responsible for the conduct of the general operations of the bank and exercise all the powers delegated to them by the Board of Governors. The Executive Directors consider and decide on loan and credit proposals made by the President, and they decide policy issues that guide the general operations of the Bank.
How are the Executive Directors chosen?
Five Executive Directors are appointed by the members with the five largest numbers of shares (currently the United States, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom). The other Executive Directors are elected by the other members. Regular elections of Executive Directors are held every two years, normally in connection with the Bank's Annual Meetings.
In IFC and IDA, Executive Directors and Alternates of the Bank serve ex-officio as Executive Directors and Alternates of IFC and IDA (as long as the country that appoints them, or any one of the countries that have elected them, is also a member of IFC and IDA). Members of the MlGA Board of Directors are elected separately, but it is customary for the Directors of MIGA to be the same individuals as the Executive Directors of the Bank.
How often does the Board meet?
Under the Bank's Articles, Executive Directors function in continuous session at the Bank and meet as often as the Bank's business requires. Under the Bank's By-Laws, Executive Directors and Alternates are required to devote all the time and attention to the business of the Bank that its interests require, and between them to be continuously available at the principal office of the Bank. Regular meetings are usually held once or twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other meetings are held at various other times whenever required.
What number of members is needed for a quorum?
A quorum for any meeting of the Board shall be a majority of the Executive Directors, exercising not less than one-half the total voting power of the Board.
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