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.

How will the extended time eligibility for complaints to the Inspection Panel work?

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 one of those changes: the extra time project-affected people now have to submit complaints to the Panel.

How will the Inspection Panel and the Dispute Resolution Service interact?

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors completed its review of the Inspection Panel in 2020 and created the World Bank Accountability Mechanism to house the Inspection Panel and new Dispute Resolution Service (DRS). In this short video, Inspection Panel Chair Imrana Jalal discusses how the Panel and DRS will interact.

What is the significance of sharing the Inspection Panel’s Investigation Report with Requesters?

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 importance of one of those changes: allowing the Panel’s Investigation Report to be shared with Requesters before it is considered by the Board.

How will the Inspection Panel verify the implementation of Management Action Plans?

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 one of those changes: allowing the Panel, with Board approval, to verify the implementation of Management Action Plans in some cases.

Why is it important that the Inspection Panel provides advisory services?

During its 2017-2020 review of the Inspection Panel, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors 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 importance of one of those changes: formalizing the Panel’s advisory function.

Emerging Lessons Series No. 6-Insights of the World Bank Inspection Panel: Responding to Project Gender-Based Violence Complaints Through an Independent Accountability Mechanism

The Inspection Panel hosted a virtual discussion on responding to gender-based violence (GBV) complaints related to international development projects on December 9, 2020.

The discussion coincided with the publication of the sixth report in the Panel’s Emerging Lessons Series. The report – titled “Insights of the World Bank Inspection Panel: Responding to Project Gender-Based Violence Complaints Through an Independent Accountability Mechanism” – is based on two Panel investigations involving GBV in World Bank-funded projects in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The report was released during the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign.

HE Michelle Bachelet, Un High Commissioner for Human Rights delivered the opening remarks. The discussion was moderated by Koen Davidse, Executive Director, The World Bank.  The Panelists were Moses Ntenga, Founder and Director, Joy For Children Uganda, Elana Berger, Executive Director, Bank Information Center, Imrana Jalal, Chair, The Inspection Panel, The World Bank, Dubravka Simonovic, Un Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Maninder Gill, Global Director, Environmental and Social Framework, The World Bank.