ODEI Actively Participates in ECG Spring Meeting 2025 in Rome, Italy

17/03/2025

[From left to right] Monique Koning, Inspector General, EIB; Dr. Sabine Bernabè, Vice President and Director General of Evaluation, IEG-World Bank; Dr. José Efraín Deras, Head of the Independent Evaluation Office, CABEI; Dr. Véronique Salze-Lozac'h, Chief Evaluator, EBRD; Emmanuel Pondard, Head of Evaluation, EBRD; Dr. Véronique Salze-Lozac'h, Chief Evaluator, EBRD; Emmanuel Pondard, Head of Evaluation, EBRD. Véronique Salze-Lozac'h, Chief Evaluator, EBRD; Emmanuel Pondard, Head of Evaluation, EIB; Todor Dimitrov, Director of Independent Evaluation, BSTDB; Dr. Emmanuel Jiménez, Director General, Asian Development Bank; Marialisa Motta, Director, OVE-IDB; Dr. Indran A. Naidoo, Director, IOE-IFAD; Karen Rot-Münstermann, General Evaluator, AfDB; Pablo Moreno, Director, IEO, IMF

Tegucigalpa, March 17, 2025: On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Independent Evaluation Office (ODEI) participated in the ECG Spring Meeting 2025, held at the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome, Italy, where its head, Dr. José Efraín Deras, was present. This meeting began with two important topics of discussion: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Private Sector. In relation to AI, the importance of having specialized personnel to manage its development and mitigate the risks associated with the implementation of quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools was highlighted. In addition, the need to establish a short-, medium-, and long-term plan to optimize resources and ensure the successful integration of AI into evaluation processes was stressed.

During the event, ODEI also presented the findings of the evaluations related to the Private Sector. Key issues addressed included the adaptation of financial products, the creation of mechanisms for risk management, and the need for regulatory frameworks that facilitate more effective participation of private actors in projects. Project evaluation is crucial to identify areas for improvement, close gaps, and measure impact. Aligning operations with Good Practice Standards (GPS) contributes to improving transparency and accountability, which promotes more inclusive and sustainable growth.

On the second day, discussions opened on Climate Change, Good Practices and Methodologies, GPS, and Knowledge and Communicating Effectively. During the Climate Change plenary, the importance of harmonizing the assessment from the operation stage of the operations was highlighted. Emphasis was placed on the need to establish key indicators from the outset, and on the importance of following consistent methods to evaluate and measure the impact of initiatives, in order to ensure the credibility of the results.

In relation to the Standards of Good Practice and Methodologies, the GPS (Global Partnership for Sustainable Development) highlighted the effort to harmonize evaluations among ECG members, which facilitates the comparability of results. In addition, the relevance of managing Knowledge and Communication Effectively was addressed, suggesting the integration of neuroscience to improve the uptake of key information in assessment processes.

An additional relevant topic was Additionality, defined by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as the added value that Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) interventions provide to activities, inputs or results. The banks presented their approaches to financial and non-financial additionality, highlighting its consideration as a separate dimension within the ex-ante and ex-post monitoring systems.

Finally, the topic of Institutional Change was addressed, where it was stressed that early and continuous engagement in the implementation of recommendations is essential to achieve significant change. The differentiated approach to addressing complex recommendations and the importance of reporting and validation processes were identified as key factors to ensure effective implementation.

With this comprehensive approach to issues critical to sustainable development and Independent Evaluation, CABEI through ODEI continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to the continuous improvement of evaluation practices that promote transparency, efficiency and positive impact on the communities that benefit from its projects.

The ECG Spring Meeting 2025 provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the impact of evaluations on our institutions and communities. Through collaboration and sharing of best practices, we strengthen our capacity to conduct evaluations that not only measure results, but also promote sustainable development.
Dr. José Efraín Deras with the authorities of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on his right, Director of the Independent Office of Evaluation Dr. Indran Naidoo, then on his left, Executive President Álvaro Lario, then Assistant Vice President, Financial Operations Department, and Finance Manager Hernán Danery Alvarado.

CABEI, through ODEI, reaffirms its commitment as an Engine of Positive Transformation in the region, working tirelessly to generate a lasting impact on communities.

 

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