## Guidance Note for Article IV Consultations

_Policy Papers, October 10, 2012_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Guidance Note for Article IV Consultations](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/guidance-note-for-article-iv-consultations-pp4711)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/guidance-note-for-article-iv-consultations-pp4711/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/guidance-note-for-article-iv-consultations-pp4711/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/guidance-note-for-article-iv-consultations-pp4711/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: October 10, 2012
- Series: Policy Papers

---

### Purpose of the Guidance Note
- Provides guidance to staff on the conduct of surveillance in the context of Article IV consultations, described as a core activity of the Fund.
- Defines surveillance as the continuous monitoring of members‘ economic and financial policies and their impact on their own and global stability.
- Emphasizes the goal to promote the stability of members‘ economies and the effective operation of the international monetary system, including through maintaining global stability.

### Scope and Focus of Article IV Consultations
- Staff holds pointed discussions with country authorities on:
  - the economic situation,
  - the authorities‘ policies and how these affect the country‘s stability,
  - the role of potential or actual spillovers where relevant,
  - desirable policy adjustments.
- These discussions are reported to the Fund‘s Executive Board for its consideration.
- The process relies on thorough analysis, candid discussions, and a peer-review mechanism.

### Key Subject Areas Covered
- Article IV consultations
- Article VIII
- Article XIV
- Background papers
- Balance of payments
- Bilateral surveillance
- Financial stability
- Multilateral surveillance

### Publication and Access Notes
- Publication date listed as October 10, 2012.
- The IMF eLibrary offers over 25,000 IMF publications in multiple formats.
- Format citation example provided: Guidance Note for Article IV Consultations, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 0) accessed 9/15/2026

*Source: Guidance Note for Article IV Consultations (page overview).*

---

## Content in this bundle

- **Guidance Note for Surveillance Under Article IV Consultations; IMF Policy Papers; October 10, 2010**
  - [Guidance Note for Surveillance Under Article IV Consultations; IMF Policy Papers; October 10, 2010 (Markdown version)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/np/pp/eng/2012/_101012.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Guidance Note for Surveillance Under Article IV Consultations; IMF Policy Papers; October 10, 2010 (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/np/pp/eng/2012/_101012.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

---

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/guidance-note-for-article-iv-consultations-pp4711_