| | The IMF describes itself as: "an organization of 184 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty". Of all UN member states only [[North Korea]], [[Cuba]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Andorra]], [[Monaco]], [[Tuvalu]] and [[Nauru]] are either integrated and represented by other member states or choose not to participate. | | The IMF describes itself as: "an organization of 184 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty". Of all UN member states only [[North Korea]], [[Cuba]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Andorra]], [[Monaco]], [[Tuvalu]] and [[Nauru]] are either integrated and represented by other member states or choose not to participate. |
| | Agreement for its creation came at the [[United Nations]]-sponsored [[Bretton Woods Conference|Monetary and Financial Conference]] in [[Bretton Woods]], New Hampshire on July 22, 1944. The principle architects of the IMF at the Bretton Woods Conference were [[John Maynard Keynes]] and the Assistant Secretary of the [[United States Treasury]], [[Harry Dexter White]]. The [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/aa/index.htm Articles of Agreement] came into force on December 27, 1945, the organization came into existence in May 1946, as part of a post-[[World War II|WWII]] reconstruction plan, and it began financial operations on March 1, 1947. | | Agreement for its creation came at the [[United Nations]]-sponsored [[Bretton Woods Conference|Monetary and Financial Conference]] in [[Bretton Woods]], New Hampshire on July 22, 1944. The principle architects of the IMF at the Bretton Woods Conference were [[John Maynard Keynes]] and the Assistant Secretary of the [[United States Treasury]], [[Harry Dexter White]]. The [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/aa/index.htm Articles of Agreement] came into force on December 27, 1945, the organization came into existence in May 1946, as part of a post-[[World War II|WWII]] reconstruction plan, and it began financial operations on March 1, 1947. |