News & Visuals

Panel Investigation of Santa Cruz Road Corridor Project in Bolivia- Roundtable Discussion

Inspection Panel Chairperson Mark Goldsmith discusses the investigation into the Santa Cruz Road Corridor Connector Project in Bolivia. Mark is joined by investigation officers Camila Amaral and Ayako Kubodera. Together they explore the project, describe the concerns of those requesting the investigation, cite the key findings of the case, and then discuss the contents of the Management Action Plan developed in response to the Panel's findings.

Ramanie Kunanayagam on her five-year tenure with the Inspection Panel

Ramanie Kunanagayam, 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.

Panel Investigation on Togo WACARIP Project - Non-Technical Summary

In this video Panel Chairperson 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. 

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 Chair 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. 

The Inspection Panel at 30

The video celebrates 30th anniversary of the World Bank Inspection Panel and showcases its history, impact and core foundation principles since its creation in 1993. The video is part of the Panel’s commemoration of three decades of independent accountability at the World Bank featuring the voices of various stakeholders who have been involved with or influenced by the Panel’s work, including community members, World Bank Board members, civil society activists, academics, and the original Panel Members. The video highlights the Panel’s role in giving a voice to people who may be adversely affected by World Bank-funded projects, ensuring that the Bank follows its own policies and procedures, and contributing to the Bank’s learning and institutional improvement.

The World Bank Inspection Panel at 30 Years: Reflections on the First MDB Accountability Mechanism - Session Hosted by Center for Global Development

On October 31, 2023, the Center for Global Development hosted a panel discussion on "The World Bank Inspection Panel at 30 Years: Reflections on the First MDB Accountability Mechanism".

Panel Chairperson Ms. Ramanie Kunanayagam participated as a panelist. During the panel discussion, panelists reflected on the Inspection Panel’s impact over the last three decades, drawing upon the experience and learnings of inspection cases.  Ms. Kunanayagam also share the lessons from its latest Emerging Lessons Series Advisory Report on Livelihoods as a consequence of involuntary economic or physical resettlement or project impact. Drawing from inspection requests over the past five years, the Panel examined both direct and indirect impacts of resettlement and project impact on livelihoods in its latest advisory report.

Among the questions explored at this event were: How has the Panel influenced redress for communities, World Bank institutional learning and policies, and changes in capacity and measures among borrower governments? How can the Panel inform improved handling of risks to livelihoods in future World Bank operations? Will the Panel still be fit for purpose considering the anticipated expansion of the World Bank’s role under the Evolution Roadmap?

Imrana Jalal reflects on her tenure at the Inspection Panel

On December 31, 2022, Imrana Jalal’s 5-year term at the World Bank Inspection Panel, which she chaired for 3 years, ended. Serge Selwan, Senior Compliance Specialist and Policy Advisor sat with Imrana and discussed her experience during her tenure at the World Bank Inspection Panel. In this interview she reflects on her tenure, what she values the most about the Inspection Panel, and the highlights of her term. She also shares thoughts about her new appointment as head of the problem-solving unit at the Asian Development Bank, as Special Project Facilitator, a role she commenced on 6 January 2023.

What changes did the World Bank Board approve in its review of the Inspection Panel?

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors completed its review of the Inspection Panel in 2020 and put in place a number of changes to the Bank’s social and environmental accountability framework. Those changes are enshrined in the Inspection Panel Resolution and the World Bank Accountability Mechanism Resolution, both of which were approved by the Board on September 8, 2020. In this short video, Inspection Panel Chair Imrana Jalal discusses the various changes approved by the Board.

What do the changes mean for Inspection Panel stakeholders?

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors completed its review of the Inspection Panel in 2020 and put in place a number of changes to the Bank’s social and environmental accountability framework. Those changes are enshrined in the Inspection Panel Resolution and the World Bank Accountability Mechanism Resolution, both of which were approved by the Board on September 8, 2020. In this short video, Inspection Panel Chair Imrana Jalal explains what the changes mean for stakeholders.

Will the Inspection Panel retain its independence?

Will the Inspection Panel retain its independence following the changes approved by the World Bank Board as part of its 2017-2020 review of the Panel? Panel Chair Imrana Jalal answers the question in this short video.