This series primarily consists of subject files collected and maintained during Wilfried Thalwitz's tenure as Senior Vice President for Policy, Research, and External Affairs (PRESV) from 1990 and 1991. A smaller amount of subject files were created during W. David Hopper's time as Senior Vice President for Policy, Planning and Research (PPRSV) from 1987 to 1989. Additionally, a portion of the records relating to the Soviet Union and the Joint Study of the Soviet Economy (JSSE) were created and maintained by John A. Holsen in his capacity as Joint Study team leader. Records include memoranda, telexes, letters, journal articles, committee records, Board of Director meeting records, budget information, personnel records, and reports.

The series consists of records relating to the PRESV oversight of each of the vice presidencies and departments that comprised the PRESV complex, especially the Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) and the External Affairs Department (EXT). These records primarily consistof correspondence with vice presidents and directors reporting to Wilfried Thalwitz as PRESV.

Records also relate to a variety of diverse topics, including: World Bank Group (WBG) support for the creation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD; includes Ibrahim F. I. Shihata's report The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: A Comparative Analysis of the Constituent Agreement); private sector development; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Gulf crisis; PRESV retreats; the Tropical Forestry Action Plan (TFAP); and the World Development Report (WDR).

Correspondence, reports, and meeting materials relating to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are included in this series. Records date from November 1990 to November 1991 and relate to the Facility's initial financing agreements, operational policies, and project identification.

The series also includes records dating from October to December 1989 relating to a "fine-tuning" of the 1987 Bank-wide reorganization that was initiated by President Conable in the fall of 1989. The implications of this exercise for PPRSV are discussed extensively, as are changes in other Bank units. Records include correspondence, proposals, drafts, meeting materials, and staff lists.

This series also includes subject files related to Thalwitz's work as chairman of the Budget Process Task Force. The task force was created by President Conable in April 1989 to "enhance the transparency, simplicity, and effectiveness of budget practices in the Bank." Records date from April to November 1989 and include correspondence between Thalwitz and Conable, communication with task force members, meeting materials, draft reports, the final report submitted to Conable, and related materials.

Records relating to the WBG's work with the Soviet Union in 1990 and 1991 are also included in this series. The majority of these records date from the latter half of 1990 and relate to the WBG's contribution to the 1990 Joint Study of the Soviet Economy (JSSE). The JSSE was undertaken in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The JSSE's final report was published in 1991. Records consist of: chronological files; minutes and notes of meetings with Soviet officials and personal representatives of joint study organizations; mission logistics and administrative documents; draft contributions to reports; reference material; press reports; and the final report. A smaller amount of records relating to the WBG's technical assistance program's engagement with the Soviet Union is also included.