About the Inspection Panel
The Inspection Panel is an independent complaints mechanism for people and communities who believe that they have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected by a World Bank-funded project or program. The Board of Executive Directors created the Inspection Panel in 1993 to ensure that people have access to an independent body to which they can express their concerns and seek recourse.
The Panel is an impartial fact-finding body, independent from the World Bank management and staff, reporting directly to the Board. The Inspection Panel process aims to promote accountability at the World Bank, give affected people a greater voice in activities supported by the World Bank that affect their rights and interests, and foster redress when warranted.
In March 2025, the Board updated the 2020 Resolution, creating for the World Bank Accountability Mechanism. The update created two separate entities: the Inspection Panel and the Dispute Resolution Service (DRS). The Panel continues receiving complaints, determining eligibility and conducting compliance investigations and, DRS provides complainants with an alternative option to have their concerns addressed.
In response to complaints from project-affected people, the Panel has a mandate to review projects and programs funded by the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and/or International Development Association (IDA). The Panel assesses allegations of harm to people or the environment and reviews whether the Bank followed its operational policies and procedures applicable to the design, appraisal and implementation of Bank financing including the Bank’s environmental and social policies (Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies and the Environmental and Social Framework),.
This has included issues such as:
- Adverse effects on people and livelihoods because of displacement and resettlement related to infrastructure projects, such as dams, roads, pipelines and mines;
- Risks to indigenous peoples, their culture, traditions, lands tenure and development rights;
- Adverse effects on physical cultural heritage, including sacred places;
- Adverse effects on natural habitats, including protected areas such as wetlands, forests, and water bodies.
The Panel also provides advisory services including reports and publications on lessons emerging from its cases.
The Inspection Panel consists of three members appointed by the Board of Executive Directors. Members are selected on the basis of their ability to deal thoroughly and fairly with the complaints brought to them, their integrity and independence from Bank management, and their exposure to developmental issues and living conditions in developing countries. Each member is appointed for a five-year non-renewable term.
Each year, the Panel Members elect one from among them to serve as the Chairperson of the Inspection Panel. The Panel Chairperson works full-time and is based at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The other two Panel Members work part-time and are not required to be based in Washington, D.C. They would be expected to work on a full-time basis only when their workload justifies such an arrangement, as will be decided by the Executive Directors on the recommendation of the Panel.
The Panel has technical staff who provide operational and administrative support. For its fact-finding and investigations, the Panel also hires independent, internationally recognized experts to ensure objective and professional assessment of the issues under review.