The purpose of Finance & Development is to disseminate the latest thinking in economics and development: to inform readers, publish analyses of issues of global importance, stimulate debate, influence policy, and build knowledge. It draws its strength and authority from the expertise of the people—whether IMF or World Bank staff or prominent economists in academia—who write for it. F&D appears four times a year, in March, June, September, and December and is published in six languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish. The English, French, and Spanish versions are also available on the web, as is the web-only Russian edition.