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.

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.