By Brian Cochran*
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At the close of 2009, the Office of Accountability (“OA”) for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”) released a ground-breaking report on activities since its formation.[1] To date, no independent review of the effectiveness of OA in meeting its congressional and internal policy mandates has been conducted, nor have OA outcomes been collectively scrutinized. In an attempt to rectify this deficiency, this paper critically analyzes OA’s contribution with the objective of increasing its effectiveness as a government agency and realizing its potential as a pacesetter for other international financial institutions (“IFIs”).
As Dr. Jean Aden, OA’s first Director, recently handed over the reins of leadership, her successor faces a unique opportunity to improve a young but critical office.[2] His success will depend, in part, on civil society’s willingness to independently verify OA’s activities and effectiveness.