Policies

The World Bank has established policies and procedures that help ensure its operations are economically, financially, socially, and environmentally sound. These policies and procedures are codified in the World Bank's Operational Manual. The Operational Manual contains several different kinds of operational statements: 

Operational Policies (OPs) are short, focused statements that follow from the World Bank's Articles of Agreement, the general conditions and policies approved by the Board. OPs establish the parameters for the conduct of operations; they also describe the circumstances under which exceptions to policy are admissible and spell out who authorizes exceptions.

Bank Procedures (BPs) explain how World Bank staff carry out the policies set out in the OPs. They spell out the procedures and documentation required to ensure consistency and quality.

Guidelines contain advice and guidance on policy implementation for example, the history of an issue, the sectoral context, analytical framework, and examples of good practice.

OP 8.00 and BP 8.00 lay out the World Bank's policy and procedures for the provision of Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies in terms of natural and man-made disasters. A paper prepared by OPCS discusses the proposed framework to take forward these new policies. For conflict and development, also see OP 2.30 and BP 2.30 on Development Cooperation and Conflict.