About OAP

As the Fund's window to the Asia and Pacific region, OAP, assists in monitoring economic and financial developments in the region as well as progress in regional cooperation and integration. It seeks to help both enhance the understanding of the Fund and its policies in the region, and keep the Fund informed of regional perspectives on key issues. It also facilitates the implementation of Fund policies and initiatives through support of the work of IMF headquarters departments in the region. The presence of the Regional Office in Asia recognizes the substantial and growing importance of the region in the global economy.

OAP has the following key tasks:

- Monitoring of regional developments;

- Assess progress and issues in regional integration/cooperation;

- Outreach and capacity building; and

- Facilitation of the work of IMF headquarters in the region

Monitoring of regional developments

Through its on-the-ground presence, OAP monitors economic and financial developments in the region to help bring a more regionally focused perspective to the Fund's surveillance. Input comprises maintenance of a network of regular contacts with financial markets and private businesses; visits to major capitals in the region, as well as occasional joint missions of staff resident in the region; participation in regional fora; and occasional discussions with groups of officials at the senior technical level, together with staff from IMF headquarters. Output comprises reporting to IMF headquarters on its findings, informal discussions with interested groups, and provision of background to the Global Financial Stability Report and the WEO, including through comments on drafts and regular staff contacts. OAP also comments on selected country and policy papers, both to keep abreast of the thinking of IMF headquarters staff and to provide regional perspectives in the preparation of papers.

OAP also tracks developments in the Japanese economy with a view to complementing and assisting the Fund's surveillance. Inputs include contacts with political leaders, the private business sector, financial markets, civil society, academics, and, where deemed appropriate, government officials; seminars with a group consisting of officials, private sector representatives, and academics; and monitoring of Japanese press coverage and market indicators. Outputs include reporting to IMF headquarters on current developments and selected issues, and greater dissemination of IMF perspectives on the Japanese economy.

Assess progress and issues in regional integration and cooperation

OAP takes the lead role in coordinating the Fund's work with current and emerging regional policy fora, including APEC, ASEAN, EMEAP, and the Manila Framework Group. Inputs include attendance at, and presentations to, fora group meetings to assure that the Fund's views are represented. Output includes keeping IMF headquarters informed of evolving views and opinions, especially as they relate to the role of the Fund and the process of regional economic and financial integration.

Outreach and capacity building

These activities help provide a focus for IMF public relations initiatives in Asia and the Pacific. They are carried out in close collaboration with IMF headquarters. Inputs include:

- Organizing and participating in conferences/events that offer a forum for discussion of current topics on the international financial system and other issues central to the Fund's work.

- External relations activities to enhance understanding of the work of the Fund and its visibility in the region, and to help implement the broader IMF public relations strategy. Activities include seminars, press briefings, interviews, placing articles in newspapers and magazines, maintaining a website, press releases, and responding to inquires from the public-all in Tokyo and other major capitals in Asia. Presentations on the WEO and current Fund issues are also made in several non-English-speaking countries.

- Administration of the Japan-IMF and Australia-IMF Scholarship Programs.

Outputs include capacity building within developing country governments through facilitating the training of officials.

Facilitation of the work of IMF headquarters in the region

OAP provides logistical and staff support for visits to Japan by management and IMF headquarters staff. Inputs include setting appointments, arranging room and equipment rentals and interpreters, and other logistical arrangements. If staff resources permit, OAP may participate missions to countries in the region. OAP also facilitates recruitment of Fund staff from the under-represented countries in the region, in particular Japan; it raises awareness of-and interest in-Fund employment opportunities through lectures at university campuses and media advertisements; seeks to identify and pre-screen candidates; and participates in IMF headquarters missions. For more information see IMF Recruitment.