News & Visuals

Accountability Mechanism Joins Other IAMs at Virtual Outreach Workshop for CSOs in Pakistan

am-outreach-pakistan-2022

The World Bank Accountability Mechanism (AM) on March 29 and 30, 2022, joined three other independent accountability mechanisms (IAMs) in explaining their work to civil society representatives in Pakistan.

At the virtual workshop, AM Secretary Orsolya Székely explained the structure of the AM and the compliance review and dispute resolution options it offers through the Inspection Panel and the Dispute Resolution Service, respectively. Inspection Panel Senior Investigations Officer Birgit Kuba discussed how to find information about development projects, how complaints can be filed and the criteria that IAMs use to assess those complaints. She also presented on an Inspection Panel case from Cambodia. Ms. Kuba was joined by AM Senior External Affairs Officer Rob Doherty and Senior Dispute Resolution Officer Scott Adams in answering questions from civil society participants on a range of topics – including the role civil society can play in the complaints process, the timelines IAMs follow in reviewing a complaint, the community’s right to project information and consultation, how development banks integrate social issues into project design, whether the IAMs handle allegations of corruption in a project and if they can continue with a compliance review of a matter that is before the courts.

The workshop was organized along with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman, the IAMs of Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and local civil society organizations.

The AM has continued to organize virtual outreach events for civil society during the COVID-19 pandemic and hopes to resume in-person workshops in the near future.

The workshops are intended to make our work known to people whose rights and interests may be affected by World Bank projects. If you are interested in partnering on the workshop, please email us at accountability@worldbank.org.