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?