Thirteen Civil Society Organizations Call on the World Bank Group to Put Communities First When Considering Changes to its Accountability System

The World Bank Group is currently considering massive changes to its accountability system. The institution’s Board commissioned a Task Force to consider whether and how the independent accountability mechanisms for the public sector side of the bank (Inspection Panel and Dispute Resolution Service) and the private sector side (the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman) could be integrated or merged. 

On April 25, 2026, Accountability Counsel and 12 civil society partners submitted comments and recommendations to the Task Force on options for the integration of the mechanisms. We highlighted that communities impacted by the World Bank Group’s projects should be the key focus of any proposed integration. Any new mechanism developed from this process should lower existing barriers to accessibility, correct points of unfairness in the accountability process, and improve the facilitation of remedy for environmental and social harms. Integrating the mechanisms without a commitment to these outcomes, and with just a focus on cost savings or administrative streamlining, will result in a system that is less independent and more confusing for stakeholders, which would undermine the institution’s development mandate and mission. 

Read the full comments here. 

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