On 12 May 2026, as approved by the New Development Bank’s (NDB) Board of Directors and in agreement with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the NDB organised a high-level knowledge sharing seminar in Moscow on strengthening sustainable development impact through evaluation, private sector engagement, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
Titled “Enhancing Sustainable Development and Impact Through Evaluation,” the one-day seminar brought together approximately 100 participants, including senior representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation, representatives of Embassies of NDB member countries, private sector leaders, research and academic institutions, evaluation professionals, international organisations and others.
Opening the seminar, Mr. Pavel Snisorenko, Alternate Director for Russia on the NDB Board of Directors, stated, “Development finance today must be accompanied by strong mechanisms that help us understand what works and where improvements are needed. Evaluation provides an important evidence base for shaping better policies, improving project design, and ensuring that development investments deliver lasting value. Forums such as this knowledge sharing seminar create an opportunity for governments, development institutions and partners to exchange experience, good practices and lessons with the aim of achieving deeper results in promoting sustainable development in Russia and other NDB member countries”.
Mr. Ashwani K. Muthoo, Director General of NDB’s Independent Evaluation Office, highlighted the importance of NDB’s independent evaluation function in strengthening development effectiveness and said, “NDB’s independent evaluation function plays a vital role in assessing results and generating lessons and recommendations for enhancing organisational impact. This seminar, the first such event in Russia organised by IEO since its establishment in 2022, provides a platform for cross-fertilisation of experiences and knowledge across NDB member countries. It also illustrates IEO’s commitment to working and strengthening cooperation with relevant institutions in Russia on evaluation matters going forward”.
Participants underscored that evaluation is not solely an accountability mechanism, but a strategic tool for institutional learning, improved project design and implementation, and enhanced long-term impact. Discussions explored how evaluation insights can support private sector mobilisation, strengthen ESG integration in development financing, and reinforce climate-responsive development pathways.
The seminar reaffirmed the importance of embedding evaluation at the heart of sustainable development and ensuring that development investments deliver measurable, lasting results.