A key question for many supervisors, and particularly for our colleagues in emerging market jurisdictions, is whether the New Accord represents the next step to take. The Committee’s view has always been that the fundamentals come first. It is only after a solid foundation for a sound banking and regulatory system is in place that anyone should contemplate the more sophisticated requirements of the New Accord. Over time, it is our hope that more and more countries will adopt the new framework, but not before they are ready. The better capitalised and the better managed that all banking systems are worldwide, the more resistant the global financial system will become to periods of distress. For this reason, the Committee developed a “simplest standardised approach” during the consultations leading up to CP3. This approach has been developed with the assistance of some of our non-G10 colleagues. More recently, we have developed guidance to assist non-G10 supervisors in making decisions about adoption of Basel II and to help them achieve the transition in the way best suited to their national circumstances. Emerging market supervisors have welcomed both the simplest standardised approach and the transition guidance. And we will do more in this regard. We are currently considering how we might best enhance and upgrade our structures for co-operation with non-G10 countries at the Committee level. BIS Review 42/2003  3  Accounting Standards and Basel II I would like to turn now to the third topic on my list.
I should also stress that no formal decisions have yet been taken in this respect. As you probably know, the Committee will meet next month for the first time since the comment period closed. I can assure you that we will continue to do our utmost to ensure that you - the industry - can take advantage of the benefits of the new Accord at the earliest possible opportunity. Thank you for your attention. BIS Review 42/2003  5