The World Bank Inspection Panel

Panel Registers the Request for Inspection from Pakistan Khyber Pass Economic Corridor Project  On July 8, 2024, the Inspection Panel registered the Request for Inspection submitted by 448 community members from Pakistan and has issued a Notice of Registration. This Request claims harm to the community members due to the World Bank-financed Khyber Pass Economic Corridor Project in Pakistan. The Panel’s registration implies no judgment whatsoever concerning the merits of the Request. As a next step in the Panel process, Bank Management provides the Panel with a response to the issues raised in the Request within 21 business days of registration, i.e., by August 6, 2024. Notice of Registration can be read here: https://lnkd.in/ePyyexmV Learn more about the case here: https://lnkd.in/edc987NP

An independent External Review Team is seeking written feedback on its Draft Report and Recommendations on 2018 and 2020 Reforms to the Inspection Panel Toolkit and Creation of the World Bank Accountability Mechanism from interested external stakeholders. The draft report can be read here: https://lnkd.in/eibuGU6t Written feedback should be addressed to the External Review Team at externalreview2024@gmail.com Deadline for providing feedback is August 1, 2024. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2urv9Wb

World Bank Board discusses Inspection Panel’s Investigation Report on Bolivia Santa Cruz Road Corridor Connector Project and approves the Management Action Plan. On May 16, 2024, the World Bank Board discussed Panel’s Investigation Report of the Bolivia: Santa Cruz Road Corridor Connector Project (San Ignacio - San José) (P152281). The Board also approved Bank Management’s action plan to address the Panel’s Investigation Report findings. The Request for Inspection was submitted by four individuals who stated they are leaders of four Centrales Chiquitanas (organizations of Chiquitano Indigenous People) in the Chiquitania region of the eastern Bolivian lowlands. The Requesters claimed the Project threatened their land and livelihoods, as the road would create opportunities for illegal activities and for settlers to move into their area. The Request also alleged that they were not meaningfully consulted on the original Indigenous People’s Plan (IPP) that was approved in 2016 and that this Plan neither mitigated adverse impacts nor granted them access to Project benefits. The key findings of this investigation relate to the analysis of the Project’s potential, adverse effects, and the free, prior, and informed consultation. The Panel found that Management did not ensure the Social Assessments had adequate breadth and depth of analysis of the Project’s potential, adverse affects on the Chiquitano communities in the Project area. The Panel also found Management did not ensure an adequate process of free, prior, and informed consultation with the Chiquitano communities. Bank Management will submit annual progress reports on the implementation of the Board-approved action plan, which will be published on the Panel’s website. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eCp2Vrrc #WBGAccountability

Ramanie Kunanayagam, former Panel Member offers insights into her five-year tenure with the Inspection Panel, the last two years of which she served as its Chairperson. Acting as the custodian of the first citizen-driven accountability mechanism at an international organization, Ramanie passionately upheld the Panel's mandate. In her exit interview, she notes that Panel's mandate is rooted in mitigating harm to project-affected communities, and providing an access-to-justice system for those communities. Ramanie underscores the imperative for the World Bank to strengthen its accountability as it expands to a bigger and better development institution. Watch the video interview here: https://lnkd.in/ezqenczD Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtQEV-nP Video Courtesy: Bart Édes, Dion Lorenz Romano

The World Bank Inspection Panel team presented at the annual conference of the IAIA (International Association for Impact Assessment) held in Dublin, Ireland (April 24-27, 2024). The Inspection Panel co-organized a session entitled, “Accountability, impact assessment and their capacity to transport projects” with four other independent accountability mechanisms of international financial institutions (IFIs).  Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBxJkkMy Photo credit: Ayako Kubodera, David Simpson

Evelyn Dietsche appointed as Panel Member at the Inspection Panel  The Inspection Panel welcomes Evelyn Dietsche, as its newest Panel Member. Evelyn joined the Panel on April 8, 2024 succeeding Ramanie Kunanayagam, whose term concluded on April 7, 2024. Evelyn Dietsche brings to the Panel more than 25 years of operational and strategic-managerial experience in the multinational corporate sector and the international development advisory and consultancy business. A German national, she has held key roles working for and with companies, governments, industry associations, international organizations, and think tanks in the UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and, most recently, a not-for-profit peace research and practice institute associate with the University of Basel, Switzerland. Mark Goldsmith current Chairperson of the Inspection Panel, said, “We are delighted to welcome Evelyn as the new Panel member. Evelyn brings a wealth of experience in sustainability, responsible business conduct, social performance, and conflict sensitivity. Her expertise in dealing with complex social issues will benefit the Panel's commitment to independent accountability. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g9H47auF

The Inspection Panel has released a video in which Panel Chair Mark Goldsmith - and two staff members of the Panel, Serge Selwan and Camila Jorge do Amaral - describe the investigation case and Panel findings in the Bank-financed West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Resilient Investment Project in Togo. Requesters from coastal communities supported the project but raised some concerns including its impact on artisanal fishing and consequently, their livelihoods, lack of consultation, and the absence of a functioning grievance redress mechanism. The Panel has published a non-technical summary of its investigation on its website. Read the summary here: https://lnkd.in/ea785B_6 Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/ebgPePgQ #WBGAccountability

Panel Chairperson Mark Goldsmith Discusses Panel's Work, Just Transition and Climate Action at Overseas Development Institute Inspection Panel Chairperson Mark Goldsmith was invited to speak to researchers at the London headquarters of ODI, a global affairs think tank founded in 1960 “to inspire people to act on injustice and inequality through collaborative research and ideas that matter for people and the planet.” Goldsmith described the Panel’s history and structure, and provided examples of cases in seven countries on three continents. He also highlighted the publication of nine emerging lessons and advisories. In addition, the Panel Chairperson shared The World Bank’s new vision and mission under President Ajay Banga. He cited the Bank’s ambitious goal to target 45% of its annual financing to climate by next year and noted that future climate-related requests for inspection could be linked to greenhouse gas emissions or climate adaptation He described findings and lessons learned from Panel’s investigation of the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project in Togo, including the need for environmental assessment to consider the project’s impact over the appropriate geographic area over the long term. Goldsmith concluded his presentation by observing that two-way consultation can help impacted communities towards a Just Transition, that is, the process of addressing climate change and greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned. Goldsmith’s talk at one of the world’s preeminent research institutes on international development is part of a series of communications and outreach activities aimed at raising public awareness of the Panel’s vital role in promoting accountability and lessons learned from its activities. Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/efCkC_d9 ODI, #wbgaccountability #justtransition #climateaction Bart Édes

Board Approves Panel Recommendation to Investigate the Second Request for Inspection related to Coastal Cities Sustainable Environment Project in Viet Nam   On February 5, 2024, The World Bank Bank Board of Executive Directors approved, on a no objection basis, the Inspection Panel’s recommendation to investigate the alleged issues of harm and related possible noncompliance with the applicable World Bank policies in relation to the Coastal Cities Sustainable Environment Project in Viet Nam. This recommendation of the Panel is in response to the second Request for Inspection that was submitted on August 27, 2023, by 31 individuals from Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Viet Nam.  The Panel’s report and recommendation can be read here: https://lnkd.in/eHCDtR7A   Under the Inspection Panel resolution and the World Bank Accountability Mechanism (AM) resolution, after Board approval of the Panel’s investigation recommendation, the AM Secretary offers the Requesters and the borrower the option of dispute resolution. The AM Secretary will inform the Board, the Panel and Bank Management within 30 business days whether the parties have voluntarily agreed to pursue dispute resolution. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e4KxSr2H

Panel Member Ramanie Kunanayagam discusses the latest report, Livelihoods and Development on the Inspection Panel's Emerging Lessons Series on livelihoods with Kirk Helliker, Research Professor, Department of Sociology, Rhodes University in South Africa on the Knowledge Hub Africa Podcast. Ramanie explains the important role of Inspection Panel, the impact of its investigations and focuses on Panel cases that have deal with the issue of livelihood impacts. Watch the short discussion on YouTube here: https://lnkd.in/eMDmnSqY kirk helliker Joshua Matanzima The University of Queensland Griffith University University of St Andrews knowledge Hub Africa #wbgaccountability Bart Édes