Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - September 24, 2023: In a groundbreaking moment, the Independent Evaluation Department of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) hosted the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) on Sunday, September 24, 2023. The launch event, held at the IsDB Headquarters in Jeddah, marked a significant step towards advancing expertise in the field of evaluation within the region. Br. Anasse Aissami, Director General - Country Programs at IsDB, warmly welcomed the 28 participants attending IPDET, including representatives from IsDB, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Ministry of Economy and Planning, and the Ministry of HR and Social Development of the Kingdom and the 12 participants from various IsDB Regional Hubs in his opening address. Br. Anasse Aissami acknowledged the pivotal role played by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Stockmann and Dr. Stefanie Krapp, eminent figures in the field of evaluation in making IPDET at IsDB Headquarters a reality. Prof. Reinhard Stockmann, founder of the Center for Evaluation (CEval) at Saarland University, Germany, and Dr. Stefanie Krapp, Head of IPDET at the University of Bern, delivered the pioneering and comprehensive five-day training program in development evaluation. Br. Anasse Aissami underscored the significance of evaluation in development, describing it as the foundation of informed decision-making. In a world grappling with complex development challenges, the demand for skilled evaluators has surged. The introduction of IPDET to the IsDB is seen as a crucial step towards nurturing evaluation expertise in the Kingdom. With the launch of IPDET at IsDB Headquarters, the Middle East takes a significant stride toward shaping the future of evaluation and development in the region. The transformative journey has commenced, promising to empower evaluators and strengthen the impact of development efforts across the Middle East.