An outreach session on the African Development Bank's Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) took place in Tunis on 11 December 2019.

The event was part of a series of activities that the Bank, through its Office of Integrity and Anti-corruption (PIAC) and the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (BCRM), organized to mark international anti-corruption day last week. It brought together about 100 representatives from civil society organizations, Bank country offices and project implementation units from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania. The participants were briefed about the functions of the IRM and its rules and procedures.

The participants were introduced to the IRM and its functions through presentations focusing on the IRM mandate and its procedures for handling complaints. They were also briefed on the Bank Group's Integrated Safeguards System and familiarized with IRM mediation principles, techniques and processes.

Following the presentations, a panel was organized in which representatives of civil society organizations, Bank staff and project implementation units shared their experiences with the IRM staff in the handling of cases. Finally, BCRM updated the participants on the third review of the IRM.

The session provided an opportunity for participants to discuss the challenges and impact of the IRM work on communities affected by African Development Bank-financed projects and in helping the Bank achieve its sustainable development objectives.