Why is IMF surveillance important?

In today's globalized economy, where the policies of one country typically affect many other countries, international cooperation is essential. The IMF, with its near-universal membership of 186 countries, facilitates this cooperation. There are two main aspects to the IMF’s work: bilateral surveillance, which comprises appraisal of, and advice on the policies of each member country; and multilateral surveillance, or oversight of the world economy.

Consulting with member states

IMF economists continually and regularly monitor members’ economies—usually once a year. They visit member countries to exchange views with the government and central bank and focus on whether there are risks to domestic and external stability that argue for adjustments in economic or financial policies. During their mission, IMF staff also typically meet with other stakeholders, such as parliamentarians and representatives of business, labor unions, and civil society to help evaluate the country’s economic policies and direction. On return to headquarters, the mission submits a report to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion. The Board’s views are subsequently transmitted to the country’s authorities.

In recent years, surveillance has become increasingly transparent. Almost all member countries now agree to publication of a Public Information Notice, which summarizes the views of IMF staff and the Executive Board. In nine out of ten cases, the staff report and other accompanying analysis is also published on the IMF’s website.

The current financial crisis has shown the need for deeper analysis of the linkages between the real economy and the financial sector. Building on the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), financial sector issues are receiving greater coverage under surveillance. Analytical tools for integrating financial sector and capital markets analysis into macroeconomic assessments are also being developed. In their advice to individual countries, IMF staff try to leverage cross-country experiences and policy lessons, drawing on the organization’s unique experience as a global financial institution. Spillovers of members’ policies on other members’ economies also receive particular attention in staff analysis, and the IMF has been sharpening its exchange rate assessments.

Overseeing the bigger world picture

The IMF also reviews global and regional economic trends. Its key instruments of global surveillance are two semi-annual publications, the World Economic Outlook (WEO) and the Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR). The WEO provides detailed analysis of the state of the world economy, addressing issues of pressing interest, such as the current global financial turmoil and economic downturn. The GFSR provides an up-to-date assessment of global financial markets and prospects, and highlights imbalances and vulnerabilities that could pose risks to financial market stability. The IMF also publishes Regional Economic Outlook reports, providing more detailed analysis for the five major regions of the world.

Sometimes the IMF will draw attention to specific inter-linkages in the global economy, with the option of conducting multilateral consultations to foster debate and develop policy actions as a means to address problems of systemic or regional importance, as was done in 2006-07 on global economic imbalances.

Keeping surveillance relevant

Surveillance in its present form was established by Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, as revised in the late 1970s following the collapse of the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates. Under Article IV, member countries undertake to collaborate with the IMF and with one another to promote stability. For its part, the IMF is charged with (i) overseeing the international monetary system to ensure its effective operation, and (ii) monitoring each member's compliance with its policy obligations.

The practice of surveillance has evolved considerably since the 1970s. In June 2007, the legal framework for it underwent its first major update since 1977, with the adoption of the Decision on Bilateral Surveillance over Members’ Policies. The Decision clarifies that country surveillance should be focused on assessing whether countries’ policies promote external stability. This means surveillance should mainly focus on monetary, fiscal, financial, and exchange rate policies and assess risks and vulnerabilities. It also provides guidance to members on how to conduct exchange rate policies in a way that is consistent with the objective of promoting stability and avoiding manipulation.

In September 2009, the IMF’s Executive Board adopted a "Statement of Surveillance Priorities" (SSP). This laid out the economic and operational priorities for IMF surveillance until 2011. Coming after the worst of the global economic crisis, this statement emphasized the orderly unwinding of crisis-related policy interventions and the policy requirements for sustaining world growth. Then at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, world leaders highlighted the role of IMF surveillance in resolving the global crisis. They called for more sustained and systematic international cooperation and asked the Fund to support the G-20’s mutual assessment efforts through a forward-looking analysis of whether policies pursued by member countries were collectively consistent with sustained and balanced growth for the global economy.

More recently, in October 2009, at the request of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, the IMF has begun the process of reexamining its mandate, including on surveillance. It will report back to the IMFC by September 2010.