October 2, 2023, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — The Islamic Development Bank is organizing the 5th IsDB Group Evaluation Symposium at its Headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Distinguished guests and evaluation experts from around the world were welcomed by the Independent Evaluation Department to this event. Themed 'The Future of Development Evaluation: Adapting to a Changing Landscape,' the symposium represents a milestone as the first fully in-person gathering since the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ahmed Ag Aboubacrine, the Acting Director of IEvD highlighted the exciting program of the event, promising enlightening, and thought-provoking sessions over the two days in his opening speech.

The first day's focus revolved around the contribution of Evaluation towards Transforming IsDB Group into an Agile Learning Institution. "The Symposium promises a fruitful and inspiring journey of exploration, collaboration, and learning," Aboubacrine said, emphasizing that the event span topic such as operations efficiency, country-level strategies, development finance, and innovative solutions.

The symposium boasted a lineup of distinguished evaluation experts and prominent figures in development partnerships. Among the notable speakers were Professor Dr. Joerg Faust, Chair OECD-DAC & Director DEval, Germany; Dr. Emmanuel Jimenez, Director General, Independent Evaluation Department, Asian Development Bank; Dr. Indran Naidoo, Director, Independent Evaluation, IFAD; Dugan Fraser, Head of Global Evaluation Initiative, World Bank; and Dr. Jos Vaessen, Deputy Head of Global Evaluation Initiative, World Bank.. Acting Director Aboubacrine expressed his gratitude to the speakers, along with the moderators, and panelists, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the future of development evaluation.The symposium promises a fruitful and inspiring journey of exploration, collaboration, and learning. Fore more details about the event, please visit IsDB Symposium 2023.