Senior officials representing Ministries of Foreign affairs and Governors’ offices from the African Development Bank Group’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs) have embraced a new digital platform. This initiative aims to improve coordination and bolster the execution of Bank operations at the country level.

During the second High-level Workshop on the Member States Engagement Framework, held in Abidjan on June 12-13, Protocol directors and RMC focal points explored methods to enhance the practical implementation of host country agreements. These agreements establish the Bank’s presence and activities within member countries.

Discussions centered on ongoing challenges, notably the interpretation and application of key provisions within the Agreement establishing the bank. Also discussed were the privileges and immunities granted to the institution and its staff, and the implications for projects and programs across the region.

Vincent Nmehielle, the Bank Group’s Secretary-General, chaired the workshop.

To tackle these challenges and foster better collaboration, participants endorsed the Bank-designed digital platform. It is intended as a crucial tool for facilitating information-sharing and exchanging experiences. They also agreed to create a central database of stakeholders, including Protocol Directors, Governors’ office focal points, Directors General, Deputy Directors General, Country Managers, and the Bank’s regional protocol officers. The database may include other relevant actors to further support country-level implementation.

“We’ve come away from this workshop having achieved many things,” said Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary-General of the African Development Bank Group.

“You are the main points of contact for maintaining this spirit of collaboration, so that the operations implemented by the Bank Group can further transform people’s lives.”

Participants