Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA)

                                       Chair Summary*

                                         July 13, 2017


      Executive Directors discussed the paper entitled Multiphase Programmatic Approach
(MPA). They welcomed the proposed modifications to OP 10.00, Investment Project Financing
(IPF) and Bank Policy, Program for Results (PforR) and Management’s clarifications that (i)
phases rated Category A and projects rated High or Substantial for Environment or Social
Safeguards under the new ESF would be sent to the Board for approval; (ii) MPAs that start
under the current safeguards system could move to the new ESF for later phases; and (iii) only
PforR phases which introduce Disbursement Linked Indicators not described earlier as part of
the MPA package, will be sent to the Board for approval. Executive Directors agreed to review a
revised proposal on a shortened absence of objection basis.
     Directors welcomed the programmatic approach and flexibility introduced by MPA,
allowing clients to quickly adapt to the changing situations in the country and to provide longer
term sustained support by the Bank. They acknowledged that the new approach will help the
Bank become more responsive and adaptive in today’s fast changing country situations and will
allow both the Bank and clients to make more efficient use of their resources.
     Directors stressed the importance of ensuring robust oversight, accountability and
monitoring mechanisms for MPAs to be utilized and monitored effectively. They noted that
Directors may request a formal discussion of a subsequent phase of an MPA. They welcomed
Management’s clarification that documentation for Management approved phases will be
provided to the Directors through the ED’s portal and will follow the same public disclosure
rules as Board approved restructurings and projects. They appreciated Management’s
commitment to present information on the MPA pipeline and performance in the Quarterly
Operations Update.
     Directors noted the clarification that investigations from the Inspection Panel and Integrity
Vice Presidency would apply for the Multiphase Programmatic Approach, consistent with the
Inspection Panel’s mandate. They stressed the importance of incentivizing of greater use
feedback loops to facilitate real-time course corrections and underscored the importance of
ensuring that lessons learned from preceding phases are properly incorporated into future phases.
They were encouraged to learn that Management will make evidence-based lessons learned from
preceding phases a requirement of appraisal and approval of the next phase.
     The Directors stressed the importance of outreach with client countries to ensure that
information on the MPA is made available to both IBRD and IDA countries and look forward to
the comprehensive assessment of the MPA Program that Management will undertake in three
years’ time.


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* This summary is not an approved record