As part of its review of new Global Programs, the World Bank Quality Assurance Group (QAG) conducted a review of the World Bank Global Road Safety Facility's start-up program. The results have now been received by the Facility Implementation Unit, and the Transport Sector Senior Management team. It is pleasing that the Facility received a positive endorsement from the QAG review, including marks for "best practice." Highlights of the QAG Panel's findings:

• The Bank’s Transport Sector has incorporated Road Safety as one of its Strategy Pillars, and it is expected that the activities of the Facility will serve to promote follow-up Bank operations. Disengagement from the issue is not an option, as road safety is a serious development issues from which the Bank cannot stay away if it is to fulfill its mission.
  
  
• The Facility has prepared a very sound Strategic Plan, which addresses the key aspects for a successful operation. The Panel particularly welcomed the phased approach chosen, which will enable taking into account the lessons of experience, and the early development of a 10 year Strategic Plan which provides a clear sense of direction.
  
  
• The Facility earned a "best practice" endorsement for aspects of its governance arrangements, which adequately reflect the Bank’s lessons of experience with global programs.
  
  
• The Panel found that the Bank is uniquely placed to manage the Facility, given its worldwide perspective, strong dialogue with transport sector authorities within the developing world, and capacity to scale-up support for road safety programs in a follow-up stage through lending.  The Facility is helping start initiatives in countries that would not have otherwise the resources to begin with, and that could become the basis for lending operations that emphasize road safety considerations.
  
  
• The Panel found that there was a  need to ensure the setting up of a sound system of monitoring and evaluation system for country work, which should be facilitated by the additional data collection initiatives. The Facility should be “marketed” more forcefully as it proceeds to the next phase, both within and outside the Bank.