The AI Committee is an internal administrative body under World Bank management established to:
(a) broadly oversee the implementation of the World Bank Policy on Access to Information the “AI Policy”);
(b) interpret the AI Policy in line with the AI Policy’s guiding principles;
(c) make decisions concerning whether to exercise the Bank’s prerogative to disclose certain information that is on the list of exceptions (i.e., restricted information) under the AI Policy; and
(d) consider and decide on appeals filed if a request to access information has been denied by the World Bank. The AI Committee decisions on appeals are publicly available.
The AI Committee terms of reference are public (AIC TOR). The AI Committee serves as:
- the first stage of appeal for appeals alleging a violation of the AI Policy; and
- the first and final stage of appeal for those appeals making a public interest case and for appeals against decisions denying access to information based on the Bank’s exercise of its prerogative to restrict. The AI Committee's decisions in these cases are final.
The AI Committee makes its best efforts to reach a decision within 45 working days of receiving an appeal.
The Annual Reports of the Access to Information Policy record the number of appeals filed before the AI Committee each year.