Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire — The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) of the African Development Bank Group will host the 16th annual meeting of the Independent Accountability Mechanisms Network (IAMnet) of international financial institutions (IFIs) from 24 to 28 June 2019, in Abidjan.

The objectives of the annual meeting are to: identify and foster means for cooperation among IAMs within their respective mandates; contribute to the regular exchange of ideas and best practices; and share views on the role of the IAMs in enhancing institutional accountability as a key component of corporate governance.

Some 60 participants are expected at the meeting, including experts representing the independent accountability mechanism departments of various IFIs, private investment banks and bilateral agencies, as well as representatives of civil society organizations. They will discuss issues such as the challenges in fragile, conflicted and violent countries, IAMs and their governance, good practice in conflict resolution, and compliance review processes.

IAMnet has been operational since May 2004. Its membership comprises the IRM and independent accountability mechanisms of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and the International Finance Corporation, along with some bilateral organizations, including the Overseas Private Investment Corporation of the United States. The IFIs' independent accountability mechanisms have been created to receive and handle complaints from people who feel that they or their environments have been adversely affected by IFIs-funded projects.