The World Bank Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaints mechanism for people and communities who believe that they have been, or are likely to be, harmed by a World Bank-funded project. It houses the Inspection Panel, which conducts compliance reviews, and the Dispute Resolution Service, which facilitates a voluntary and independent dispute resolution option for complainants and borrowers in the context of Requests for Inspection to the Panel.
On May 12, 2023, Orsolya Székely, the Accountability Mechanism Secretary, sent the following notice to the World Bank Board of Directors regarding a complaint from a Bolivia community regarding the Santa Cruz Road Corridor Connector project
In this interview, Orsolya Székely, the World Bank Accountability Mechanism Secretary, talks about her career path and lessons for women professionals in a story that was part of an International Women’s Day feature on the World Bank intranet site.
The World Bank Accountability Mechanism (AM) issued its Operating Procedures that define how the Mechanism works and provides a roadmap for requesters and borrowers who choose dispute resolution to settle their differences. At the same time, the World Bank Inspection Panel also updated its existing Operating Procedures.
Orsolya Székely, the Accountability Mechanism Secretary, has granted the Parties involved in a Uganda dispute resolution case an additional six months in hope for a resolution in the process. All Parties involved in the case requested more time to resolve their differences.
The Parties involved in a dispute related to the Cameroon Nachtigal Hydropower Project and the Hydropower Development on the Sanaga River Technical Assistance Project have opted for a collaborative dispute resolution process to try to resolve their differences.
The Accountability Mechanism has extended the deadline to accept comments on its 2022 Draft Operating Procedure to September 15, 2022. The draft Operating Procedures are now available in Arabic, French and Spanish languages for communities and general public to provide comment.
The Inspection Panel on August 19, 2022, issued a Notice of Registration for a Request for Inspection of the Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (P096124) – Third Request for Inspection.
The Inspection Panel on July 25, 2022, issued a Notice of Registration for a Request for Inspection of the Cameroon Nachtigal Hydropower Project (P157734) and Hydropower Development on the Sanaga River Technical Assistance Project (P157733).
The open consultation period runs for a period of 40 working days (8 weeks), commencing on July 18 and closing on September 12, 2022.
Comments from any interested individual or organization are invited. Input may be provided in any format and any language. Submissions or queries may be submitted to accountability@worldbank.org
The World Bank Accountability Mechanism (AM) on June 14-15, 2022, joined three other independent accountability mechanisms (IAMs) in explaining their work to civil society representatives in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on June 23, 2022, approved an Inspection Panel recommendation to investigate the Togo, Western Africa Coastal Area (WACA) Resilience Investment Project and its additional financing in Togo.
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on September 8, 2020, approved a resolution formally establishing the World Bank Accountability Mechanism (AM).
Amid rising reprisals, development finance banks and their independent accountability mechanisms need to safeguard the right of communities to be heard.