Quick facts about the Sanctions System

**The Protector of Development Funds**
The Sanctions Board is part of the Sanctions System. The Sanctions System consists of the Integrity Vice Presidency, which also houses the independent Integrity Compliance Office, the Office of Suspension and Debarment and Evaluation Officers, and the Sanctions Board which is supported by a Secretariat. The Sanctions Board holds companies and individuals accountable for misconduct while ensuring due process for all parties involved.

**The Sanctions Board is the Final Arbiter**
The Sanctions Board serves as the second and final tier in the sanctions adjudication process. It provides a neutral, fair, and impartial forum for hearing contested sanctions cases. The process is designed to be easily accessible and understandable, with policies and procedures readily available to the public online.

**Composition of the Sanctions Board**
The Sanctions Board is made up of seven independent, external members. These members are appointed by the Board of Executive Directors after a rigorous selection process and thorough review. They serve as judges and are appointed from various regions around the world. None of the members may be staff of the World Bank Group.

**Commitment to Fairness**
The Sanctions Board ensures justice through fair and unbiased decision-making. Members make their decisions solely based on the facts and the law, free from external pressure or influence. They approach each case with an open mind, without preconceived notions or interests, and they adhere to a strict Code of Conduct.

**Transparency of Decisions**
The Sanctions Board publishes fully reasoned decisions that are accessible and relevant to the public. Each final decision outlines the key issues, arguments, evidence, legal analysis, and factual findings of the case. These decisions help clarify the boundaries between permissible and sanctionable conduct in Bank-financed operations.

**International Scope of Cases**
Cases presented before the Sanctions Board have an international dimension, arising from alleged misconduct in Bank Group-financed projects worldwide. Most allegations involve fraud and corruption.

**Collaboration with Development Partners**
The Sanctions Board collaborates closely with partners in the development community to harmonize standards across the sanctions regimes of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). As a participant of the "Cross-Debarment Agreement," the Sanctions Board’s debarment decisions are recognized and enforced by other MDBs, subject to specific criteria and conditions. This collaboration enhances the deterrent effect of sanctions decisions against fraud and corruption in MDB-financed projects.

**Role of the Secretariat**
A dedicated professional Secretariat supports the work of the Sanctions Board. The Secretariat assists in various tasks and liaises with relevant stakeholders within the Bank Group and the broader international development community. It also plays a vital role in sanction policy discussions and engages in strategic outreach and knowledge-sharing efforts to ensure effective implementation of the Sanctions Board's work.

**Capacity Building**
Capacity building is a vital aspect of the Sanctions Board’s activities. Many lessons can be learned from its decisions by borrowers, Project Implementation Unit (PIU) staff, Team Task Leaders (TTL), and operations staff. These lessons focus on preventing, identifying, and mitigating misconduct in future work, which benefits both borrowers and the communities they serve.

**Commitment to Excellence**
The Sanctions Board strives to be a center of excellence in the global sanctions regime. Its comprehensive public law digests serve as important reference points for sanctions precedents. The Sanctions Board plays a significant role in upholding integrity standards, the rule of law, and maintaining public trust in the institution's development work.