The World Bank and the Poorest Countries

This report summarizes how the World Bank policies and programs in the poorest countries have become focussed on the overarching objective of poverty reduction during FY91-93, as recommended in the Ninth Replenishment period of the International Development Association (IDA9). It discusses: methods of promoting economic reform; ways of reaching out to the poor; sustainable environmental development; aggregate uses and resources; and future outlook and objectives. It also reflects how the International Development Association's cumulative experience in implementation has been incorporated into program and project design. However, it does not deal with the implementation of the IDA9 programs by borrowers or their ultimate impact on beneficiaries. It is too soon to evaluate the implementation and beneficiary results of the IDA9 programs.