## Transparency Policy Information Sheet for Country Authorities ## Source details **Canonical URL:** [Transparency Policy Information Sheet for Country Authorities](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/pp/2026/english/ppea2026023-s001.pdf) ## Other formats - [Markdown version](/-/media/files/publications/pp/2026/english/ppea2026023-s001.pdf.md) - [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/publications/pp/2026/english/ppea2026023-s001.pdf.json) --- ### A. Publication of Country Documents and Related Press Releases - Publication of country documents and related press releases is “voluntary but presumed.” - “Voluntary” means publication requires the relevant member’s consent. - “Presumed” means the Fund encourages each member to consent to publication. - Consent to publication is generally provided through non-objection. - Consent is deemed provided by the member unless, prior to the conclusion of Board consideration (i.e., Board meeting or the date of adoption of a decision in case of Lapse-of-Time (LOT) consideration), the member (i) objects to publication, (ii) requires more time to decide, or (iii) consents to publication subject to reaching agreement with the Fund on deletions to the document. - A member can opt out of the non-objection procedure; in that case explicit consent is required to publish its country documents. - Stronger presumption for use of Fund resources (UFR) and the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI). - Members are expected to indicate prior to circulation to the Board (typically in their Letter of Intent) that they consent to publication of related staff reports. - Unless the member explicitly consents to publication, management would not generally recommend that the Executive Board approve the member’s request. Press Releases (PRs) - PRs for UFRs and PCIs are expected to be published immediately after Board consideration. - PRs for surveillance cases are expected to be published within two business days after the date of the Board’s consideration. - The member that has consented to publication of the staff report may request that the PR is published within 7 calendar days from Board consideration with the staff report (“extended time schedule”). - PRs published separately from the related staff report will contain the member’s decision about the publication of the staff report. - If a PR is not published within the publication timelines, the Fund will issue a factual statement (FS), informing the public that Board consideration took place and of the members’ publication decision for the staff report. Staff Reports - If by the conclusion of Board consideration the member has consented to publication (through non-objection or explicitly), the Fund will promptly publish the staff report, following resolution of any pending modification requests or agreement on deletions. - Members may request, by the end of Board consideration, additional time to decide on publication: - Consent is deemed provided 14 calendar days from the date of Board consideration and staff will proceed with publication unless, by that date, the member has explicitly objected to publication or has requested more time to decide. - If the member requests more time, consent is deemed provided 28 calendar days from Board consideration and the report will be published, unless the member explicitly objects to publication. - No further time extensions are possible beyond 28 days. - For surveillance cases, publication of the staff report requires that the member consent to publication of the related PR. - If the member objects to publication of the staff report, the Fund will issue an FS informing the public that Board consideration took place and of the member’s publication decision. - At any time, the member can decide to publish a document that it previously objected to publish. Timeline when the member has opted out from providing consent through non-objection - All PR and FS requirements above apply, although publication of PR requires the member’s explicit consent. - Members are expected to communicate their publication decision on staff reports no later than 14 calendar days from the date of Board consideration. - If there are pending modification requests, a publication decision is expected no later than 28 calendar days from Board consideration. - The Fund will issue an FS if, after 14 calendar days from Board consideration, the member has not communicated its decision on staff report publication, unless there are pending modification requests. - If after 28 calendar days from Board consideration the member has still not communicated its decision, the Fund will issue an FS stating that Board consideration took place and the member has taken no decision on staff report publication. - If at any time the member objects to publication of the staff report, the Fund will issue an FS stating that the member has objected. ### B. Modification of Country Documents and Protection of Confidential Information Modifications - Strict rules apply for modifying country documents after issuance to the Board and before publication. Modifications are only allowed for: - Corrections to rectify (i) typographical errors, (ii) data and factual mistakes, (iii) evident ambiguity, and (iv) mischaracterization of the authorities’ views. - Deletions of (i) “highly market-sensitive” material that has a clear risk of triggering a disruptive market reaction in the near term, and (ii) premature disclosure of the authorities’ policy intentions that could undermine policy implementation. Politically sensitive information that does not meet either criterion shall not be deleted. - Additions to the authorities’ views in surveillance staff reports on main issues or policy recommendations covered in the staff report on which the report includes no views. Such additions are limited to an indicative limit of no more than 30–40 words per section. - Timing for modification requests: - Requests for corrections and deletions are expected to be submitted no later than two business days before the date of the Board’s consideration and normally no later than 7 calendar days from Board consideration. - Correction requests received after Board consideration will only be made if the failure to make the correction would undermine the overall value of the publication. - Requests for modifications (corrections and deletions) submitted more than 28 days after Board consideration will not be considered. - Additions to the authorities’ views need to be issued to the Board at least two business days ahead of the Board’s consideration. - Modifications to published documents are generally not allowed, with very few exceptions. Resolving disagreements - If staff and the member disagree about the application of modification rules, the member may request that their requests be considered by Management. - Any disagreements will be resolved in accordance with the provisions of the Transparency Policy. Confidential information - The authorities should communicate clearly to staff if they wish to keep certain information confidential. - The Fund has a comprehensive legal framework for safeguarding confidential information (see 2026 Transparency Policy Guidance Note). *International Monetary Fund — Transparency Policy Information Sheet for Country Authorities* --- _Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/pp/2026/english/ppea2026023-s001.pdf_