Ethics and Business Conduct Department

木瓜影院 Group's twin goals are to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030 and to boost shared prosperity for the bottom 40 percent of each developing country. For the diverse workforce of the World Bank Group, integrity, ethical behavior, and adherence to corporate values are core to the success of these goals.

木瓜影院 Group's Ethics and Business Conduct Department (EBC) in the Ethics and Internal Justice Services Vice Presidency Unit promotes the development and application of the highest ethical standards by staff members in the performance of their duties. EBC is committed to integrity, impartiality and independence in its work.

EBC focuses on four key areas:

Standard setting through the design and stewardship of ethical policy, practices, decisions, and behavior, including administering Declaration of Interests Programs to ensure public confidence.
Outreach and training to strengthen World Bank Group values, foster a culture of respect and integrity, and build bridges between scientific research and practice in ethical development.
Advice to staff and clients by sharing ethics expertise and spotting trends—providing counsel on conflicts of interest and compliance-related issues as needed.
Addressing misconduct by reviewing concerns, recommending actions, and facilitating resolutions.

WBG Action Plan for preventing and addressing sexual harassment. At the World Bank Group, we are committed to providing a safe environment for our people to do their best work. This means doing all we can to uphold systems of accountability and transparency. We must create a culture in which we feel safe to report incidents of sexual harassment and are able to trust that robust systems are in place to address them—a culture of zero tolerance where sexual harassment is being systematically addressed. Read the Action Plan .

Read the to learn more about our recent initiatives.

Last Updated: Jan 19, 2023

Leadership

Lisa Rosen

Vice President, Ethics and Internal Justice Services

CONTACTS

Thaisa Katz
External Affairs Officer
tkatz@worldbankgroup.org

For information about the Ethics Helpline, click on second tab above

More Bank Group Accountability Mechanisms

ETHICS HELPLINE

EBC manages an Ethics Helpline to address questions or report alleged misconduct of World Bank Group staff. Issues addressed include conflicts of interest, discrimination, financial interests and disclosure, G-5 domestic employee issues, gifts, harassment (including sexual harassment), honoraria, misuse of assets, retaliation, abuse of authority, failure to meet personal legal obligations, outside employment, and political activities -- among others. EBC may address issues of alleged misconduct of World Bank Group staff (including consultants) regardless of whether the person reporting is a Bank Group staff member.

This toll-free number provides a safe channel of communication with EBC that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers may remain anonymous if they wish. No call-tracing or recording devices are ever used. The Helpline is staffed by trained Communication Specialists who do not work directly for the Bank Group and callers may request to speak in a language in which they feel more comfortable. EBC will receive a written report for follow-up and callers may indicate a preferred method of contact.

All reports are managed as strictly confidential information and with care for all parties involved. This information will be reviewed, but corroborating evidence must be obtained before any disciplinary action can be taken. 木瓜影院 Group's Staff Rules are clear: people who report misconduct must not be retaliated against or otherwise mistreated for a report made in good faith even if it turns out to be unsubstantiated.

Calling in to the Helpline

From the United States (TTY/TDD): 1-877-576-2569

From outside the United States: Use AT&T direct access code for the country, then 1-800-261-7497. If an AT&T direct access code is not available, use a World Bank Group office phone and dial 5220.9 followed by 1-800-261-7497 or 1-877-576-2569.

Other Ways to Contact EBC (not anonymous):

+ 1 202-473-0279 or ethics_helpline@worldbank.org

If you are World Bank Group staff or a family member seeking help against domestic abuse, click here.

Last Updated: Apr 20, 2017

Leadership

Lisa Rosen

Vice President, Ethics and Internal Justice Services

CONTACTS

Thaisa Katz
External Affairs Officer
tkatz@worldbankgroup.org

For information about the Ethics Helpline, click on second tab above

More Bank Group Accountability Mechanisms

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

木瓜影院 Group endeavors to be a leader in international efforts to eliminate corruption and improve governance. To ensure public confidence, it is important to comply with corporate governance best practices of transparency and disclosure. Financial disclosure is a well-established practice in financial institutions, governments, and other public and private sector organizations in many countries.

World Bank Group staff at the Vice President level and above are required to file an annual Declaration of Interests. In addition, staff members at the VP level and above who are coming from outside the Bank Group file a new entrant Declaration of Interests. These declarations include a public portion, which is published here.

Leadership

Lisa Rosen

Vice President, Ethics and Internal Justice Services

CONTACTS

Thaisa Katz
External Affairs Officer
tkatz@worldbankgroup.org

For information about the Ethics Helpline, click on second tab above

More Bank Group Accountability Mechanisms

Annual Reports published by the Ethics and Business Conduct Department (EBC) since 2010:

Leadership

Lisa Rosen

Vice President, Ethics and Internal Justice Services

CONTACTS

Thaisa Katz
External Affairs Officer
tkatz@worldbankgroup.org

For information about the Ethics Helpline, click on second tab above