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Inspection Panel Extends Term of Executive Secretary Dilek Barlas through June 2021

Dilek BarlasThe Inspection Panel has extended the term of Executive Secretary Dilek Barlas for an additional two years, through June 30, 2021.

Ms. Barlas became the Panel’s Executive Secretary on July 1, 2014, and her term was due to expire on June 30, 2019. 

In her capacity as the Executive Secretary, Ms. Barlas provides strategic support and advice to the Panel Chair and Panel members; manages the Panel's Secretariat, its staff, consultants and resources; and maintains the Panel's relations with internal stakeholders (the Board of Executive Directors, its committees, World Bank senior management and staff) as well as external ones (Requesters, civil society organizations, academia and the media). Ms. Barlas was the Panel's Deputy Executive Secretary from 2007 to 2014. A Turkish national, Ms. Barlas has extensive experience in the field of development.

Ms. Barlas joined the World Bank in 1992 and served as the Senior Counsel in the World Bank Legal Vice Presidency for the Europe and Central Asia Region. As Senior Counsel she was responsible for the legal aspects of World Bank operations. Her work also included an overseas field assignment to the World Bank Office in Ankara, Turkey, from 2004 to 2006. Prior to joining the World Bank, Ms. Barlas served with the Under Secretariat of Treasury and Foreign Trade of Turkey and played a critical role in the preparation of Turkey's anti-dumping and subsidies legislation. Her private law practice includes work as an associate with White and Case in their Washington, D.C., office.

Ms. Barlas holds a law degree from the University of Ankara, Turkey, and an LLM in International Legal Studies from the Washington College of Law at American University, Washington, D.C.