Strengthening Partnerships: DRBF Meets with MCC and World Bank in Washington

Essential stakeholders in the Dispute Board (DB) process include the funding institutions that support their use on projects they finance. With a focus on effective project delivery, DBs play a critical role from the very beginning.

This week in Washington, DC, DRBF Executive Director Ann Russo met with teams from the Millennium Challenge Corporation and The World Bank to discuss collaboration and the continued advancement of the DB process. The visits were organized in partnership with CICA - World Construction Association and their delegation, with an emphasis on procurement developments and early market engagement.

The MCC model, which provides grant funding for development and infrastructure projects, aligns closely with the benefits of Dispute Boards. Because MCC grants are time-bound to five years, timely and cost-effective project delivery is essential. Our discussions with Deputy General Counsel David Kassebaum and his team highlighted geographic areas of synergy and opportunities to strengthen education for procurement and implementation teams.

The World Bank continues to be a global leader in supporting the use of DBs on major projects worldwide. Director and Chief Procurement Officer Hiba Tahboub shared updates on priorities including implementing systems for live project tracking, advancing ESG initiatives, and expanding education programs to build capacity in the countries they serve.

DRBF values the work of these essential organizations and their ongoing commitment to strengthening the Dispute Board process and improving outcomes for infrastructure projects around the world.