**GAO-09-99**                      Published: Nov 20, 2008. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

The World Bank Group lends about $40 billion annually to developing countries. Critics have claimed that some projects have harmed the environment and the local population. Title XIII of the International Financial Institutions Act of 1977 outlines in part the U.S. government's requirements for reviewing potential environmental and social impacts of proposed multilateral development bank projects. GAO was asked to assess the U.S. government's international environmental oversight efforts by examining (1) how U.S. agencies implement legislative requirements to review the potential environmental concerns associated with proposed World Bank Group projects, and (2) agencies' ability to identify and address these concerns. GAO reviewed Title XIII, World Bank Group reports, and U.S. agency documents and met with representatives from U.S. government agencies, the World Bank Group, and nongovernmental organizations.

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## Topics

International Affairs

Environment evaluationEnvironmental assessmentEnvironmental monitoringFederal aid to foreign countriesFinancial institutionsForeign aid programsForeign economic assistanceForeign financial assistanceInteragency relationsInternational organizationsInternational relationsLending institutionsPolicy evaluationProgram evaluationProgram managementRequirements definitionStandardsPolicies and procedures