World Bank Group Timeline
World Bank Group and IMF launch Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) program
In response to growing concerns about the slow progress towards poverty reduction, consultations among national governments, the World Bank Group, the IMF, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and others produce the new Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) program. The PRSPs will be produced by the countries themselves and will serve as the basis for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and concessional lending by the Bank Group and IMF. The PRSP will identify obstacles to poverty reduction and lay out a plan to overcome them. This new approach, which signals a shift in organizational culture for the Bank Group, is aligned with the principles of the Bank Group's Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) approach. Burkina Faso and Uganda will become the first countries to produce a full PRSP.
Resource Gallery
Aide Memoire of the Poverty Reduction Strategy launch
Feb. 21, 1999
The aide memoire describes the joint mission of the International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank Group to Kyrgyz Republic to launch the preparation of a National Strategy for Poverty Reduction and Growth (30072287).
A New Approach to Country-Owned Poverty Reduction Strategies
Document date: January 2000
The publication discusses the conception and value of country-owned poverty reduction strategies.
Launching a PRSP in Mozambique presentation slides
c. 1999
The presentation outlines the steps on launching a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) using the example of Mozambique (1787907).
Executive Directors meeting transcript
Document date: Sept. 9, 1999
The Board discusses the enhancement of the Bank's poverty focus.
Development Committee Communique
Sept. 27, 1999
The Committee approved the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers during their 60th meeting held in Washington, DC (online resource).
Executive Directors meeting transcript
Document date: Dec. 20, 1999
The Board discusses operational issues concerning the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.
President Wolfensohn's remarks to the Board regarding HIPC and PRSPs
Sept. 1, 2000
This briefing includes President Wolfensohn's talking points for his opening remarks at a meeting of the Board of Directors on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP; 30495473).
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) launch promotion
March 30, 2000
President Wolfensohn and Stanley Fischer, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, provide an introduction to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP; duration 3:47; 1796366).
