June • 2024 As FY24 draws to a close, we are pleased to report the Sanctions Board’s and the Secretariat’s latest updates and achievements. Since our previous newsletter, our dedicated team supported the Sanctions Board in conducting hearings, deliberating upon complex cases, and issuing fair, impactful decisions. We also actively participated in numerous conferences and events, fostering dialogue and cooperation with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. A notable highlight included jointly hosting with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Enforcement Committee Secretariat the Multilateral Development Banks Appellate Sanctions Bodies Conference in London, England. We invite you to learn more below as we look back proudly on this last FY.  With warm regards, Maria & Jodi Appointed Retired Extended Mahnaz Malik Cavinder Bull Maria Vicien Milburn In January 2024, the Sanctions Board Secretariat announced the appointment of the new IFC Sanctions Board Member, Mahnaz Malik. Mahnaz Malik replaced the outgoing Sanctions Board Member, Cavinder Bull. Cavinder Bull shared his views on the Sanctions Board's work and contributions in a video prior to his departure. Finally, Maria Vicien Milburn's appointment as Sanctions Board Member and Chair has been extended for an additional year. Maria Vicien Milburn's term will now end in May 2025. 1/5 Information on all current Sanctions Board Members is available here. SANCTIONS BOARD DECISION NO. 142 Country and Projects: Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Da Nang Sustainable City Development Project. In Decision No. 142, the Sanctions Board imposed a sanction of conditional non-debarment on an engineering firm from Spain. The sanction was based on a finding of corrupt and collusive misconduct that took place in relation to a World Bank Urban, Resilience and Land project in Viet Nam. This decision was issued by Sanctions Board members Maria Vicien Milburn (Chair), Rabab Yasseen, Eduardo Zuleta, Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, and Philip Daltrop. SANCTIONS BOARD DECISION NO. 143 Country and Projects: Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project. In Decision No. 143, the Sanctions Board imposed a sanction of debarment with conditional release on a consulting firm and its managing director from Nigeria. The sanction was based on a finding of fraudulent misconduct that took place in relation to a World Bank Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy project in Nigeria. This decision was issued by Sanctions Board members Maria Vicien Milburn (Chair), Eduardo Zuleta, and Philip Daltrop. The full text of final published decisions is the primary authority on the Sanctions Board’s analysis and determinations in a sanctions case. Summaries of Sanctions Board decisions provided in this newsletter are the work product of the Sanctions Board Secretariat and do not supersede or complement the text of final published decisions, which is publicly accessible as referenced above.  2/5 MDB Appellate Sanctions Bodies Conference On March 21-22, 2024, the Secretariats of the World Bank Group Sanctions Board and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Enforcement Committee jointly hosted the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) Appellate Sanctions Bodies Conference in London, England. Read More. SBS Outreach and Knowledge Sharing The Secretariat participated in the 20th Annual International Bar Association Anti- Corruption Conference, held on June 12-13, 2024, in Paris, France. Our contributions included facilitating a panel titled, "MDB Harmonization in the Global Sanctions System - Lessons Learned with Practical Implications," with panelists from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank Group. The panel explored the harmonization efforts among MDBs within the context of the MDBs’ sanctions systems, highlighting successes and further areas of alignment.  The Secretariat participated in the 21st International Anti-Corruption Conference, held on June 18-21, 2024, in Vilnius, Lithuania. Our contributions included speaking at a workshop titled, “From Research to Practice: Cutting-edge Integrity Solutions for the Climate Crisis,” alongside representatives from the World Bank, Transparency International, the UNCAC Coalition, and the private sector. The Secretariat participated in C5’s 18th Conference of Anti-Corruption, held on June 18-19, 2024, in London, England. Our contributions included speaking on a panel titled, “The Continuing Convergence of Sanctions, Export Controls and Anti- Corruption Compliance: Concrete Examples of How to Update Re-Assessment Protocols Amid an Evolving Geopolitical and Compliance Landscape,” with panelists from the private sector.  3/5 The Secretariat co-organized the 2nd Symposium on Supranational Responses to Corruption: Integrity in Climate Finance & Action, together with the Office of Suspension and Debarment (OSD), Transparency International, the Green Climate Fund, and the London School of Economics – Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. This initiative included a call for papers and an in- person conference held on May 9-10, 2024, in London. The selected research and related discussions will be reflected in a knowledge report to be published in FY25. The Secretariat thanks the co-organizers and our partner institutions, including Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Norges Bank Investment Management, and USAID. The Secretariat delivered presentations to WBG staff on the Sanctions System at the Country Offices in Jakarta (February 15), Manila (February 20), and London (March 20).  For more information on the Sanctions System process, click here.  On February 21, 2024, members of the Secretariat gave a lecture on the WBG sanctions system to over 250 Filipino judges and court attorneys as part of the Advanced Courses of The Hague Academy of International Law in the Philippines. The Secretariat discussed the sanctions system’s rationale, actors, and procedures, and presented a more in-depth look at the Sanctions Board’s jurisprudence on standard of proof, evidence, burden of proof, and red flags. In November 2023, the Sanctions Board Secretariat organized two learning events with the International Law Institute. Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Nigeria and China engaged with speakers from INT, OSD, SBS, IFC and IMF who showcased and discussed their work relevant to the anti-corruption and sanctions regime. Celebrating Twenty Years of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption The tenth session of the Conference of States Parties (CoSP10) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption took place in Atlanta in December 2023. During the CoSP10, the Sanctions Board Secretariat had the opportunity to participate on a panel titled, "Empowering Women in Good Governance and Anti- Corruption." Panelists discussed how to promote, support and strengthen the role of women as agents of change in the fight against corruption, and how women’s empowerment and diversity in leadership roles reinforce corruption prevention and lead to more inclusive anti-corruption efforts. Read more. 4/5 Tribute to HUSL Extern The Sanctions Board Secretariat is very proud and privileged to take part in the Howard University School of Law (HUSL) Externship Program. Over the years, top tier law students participating in this program have been assigned to SBS to assist in the execution of its work program. This year was no exception. Canab Nuur, a 3rd year law student, joined the SBS team. We are very grateful for her outstanding and invaluable contributions in the areas of legal research and writing. Thank you for your interest in the work of the Sanctions Board and the Sanctions Board Secretariat. Learn more. As always, we welcome any questions, reactions, or suggestions for future editions. Please reach out to us via sanctionsboard@worldbank.org. Unsubscribe from this list 5/5