IMF and Estonia

Estonia has been a member of the International Monetary Fund since 1992. Eesti Pank has been responsible for Estonia’s relations with the IMF since accession, and has worked with government institutions in this. Eesti Pank bases its work on the Eesti Pank Act and on the law changing the legislation as a consequence of membership of the IMF.

The Governor of Eesti Pank represents Estonia in the highest decision-making body of the IMF, the Board of Governors, where he serves as the Governor of Estonia. The government also appoints the Alternate Governor, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, to replace the Governor in the Board of Governors, if necessary. Eesti Pank coordinates Estonia’s positions with the Ministry of Finance and presents them in the IMF.

The financial relations between Estonia and the International Monetary Fund were revised when the law was. The government transferred to Eesti Pank the financial obligations associated with the IMF membership, meaning Eesti Pank organises the payments needed for Estonia’s quota.

The quota is important for a country in its financial and organisational dealings with the IMF. It defines the voting rights of the member state in the IMF and its ability to borrow from the IMF. Estonia’s quota is 243.6 million SDRs or about 198.3 million euros, and Estonia’s voting rights give it 0.08% of all the votes.

Estonia’s regular work with the IMF is conducted through the Nordic-Baltic Constituency, which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden in addition to Estonia. Estonia’s positions on matters of economic policy are represented in the Board of the IMF by the Executive Director appointed by these eight countries. The Constituency uses a rotation system under which it is being chaired by the Baltic States in 2023-2026. According to the agreement the country in the chair is Lithuania that has an Executive Director in the IMF’s Board and the role of the main co-ordinator, in setting the common views of the Constituency, is fulfilled jointly by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. There are also an Alternate Executive Director and advisors employed in the Washington office of the Constituency’s Director, through which all 8 countries of the Constituency are represented.

The combined voting rights of the Nordic-Baltic Monetary and Financial Committee give it 3.29% of the votes in the IMF.