IEvD Organizes a Successful Technical Session with the Arab Coordination Group Addressing the Need for the Institutionalization of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning within Development Financiers
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 10 May 2023 – The Islamic Development Bank Independent Evaluation Department (IEvD) organized a technical session with the Heads of Operations and representatives from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) member institutions at the margins of the IsDB Group 2023 Annual Meetings. During this event, the speakers stressed the need for the institutionalization of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems in their development interventions. Having strong MEL functions in place would provide the evidence needed to support decision-making during the implementation of projects, they argued.
In welcoming the participants, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, IsDB President, stated, "Development organizations need to account for the use of resources and demonstrate both results and the added value of their work as they are operating in an environment that calls for impartial, valid and credible evidence on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of their policies, programs, and activities". H.E. Dr. Al Jasser assured that IsDB is committed to securing greater cooperation and synergy with its development partners and pooling more resources and smarter solutions to edge closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The opening remarks of this technical meeting were delivered by Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, Director General & CEO of the OPEC Fund for International Development, who underscored that "Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) are vital for effective development project implementation and resource utilization. Institutionalizing MEL functions into development financiers' DNA is essential for accountability, transparency, and achieving positive impacts. At the OPEC Fund, we're committed to implementing effective MEL practices, as demonstrated by our forthcoming Development Effectiveness Report."
The keynote presentation was delivered by Mr. Dugan Fraser, Head of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI) of the World Bank Independent Evaluation Group, focusing on how to build M&E systems, the benefits of strong M&E systems at the country level, and how the GEI can contribute to bridging the knowledge gaps and building capacity in the MENA region and beyond.
The panel members also included Honorable Abdoul Salam Bello, Executive Director of the Africa Group II at the World Bank Group Board, who shed light on balancing global and regional perspectives on evidence building, and Eng. Mohammad Jamal Alsaati, Special Advisor to the IsDB President, discusses IsDB's perspective on the utilization of evidence as a powerful compass to shape well-targeted public policies, correct course and ultimately deliver better outcomes and development results.
Other key discussants included the Heads of Operations and prominent executive-level representatives from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGPD), and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).
About the Partner Organization
The Arab Coordination Group comprises 10 regional, and international organizations amongst them the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development; the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa; the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development; the Arab Gulf Programme for Development; the Arab Monetary Fund; the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) which is the AAA-rated multilateral development bank (MDB) of the Global South; the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development; the OPEC Fund for International Development; the Qatar Development Fund; and the Saudi Fund for Development. The Group pools resources and coordinates initiatives with the goal of providing effective and impactful development support through projects and operations.
About the IsDB
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development bank that has been working for over 40 years to improve the lives of the communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. We bring together 57 member countries across four continents, touching the lives of 1 in 5 of the world's population. The IsDB is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Our mission is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place to enable them to fulfill their potential.
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