Vinod Thomas Authors

Vinod Thomas

Vinod Thomas is currently visiting professor at National University of Singapore, and distinguished fellow in development management at the Asian Institute of Management, Manila. Previously, he was director-general of independent evaluation at the Asian Development Bank. Prior to ADB, Vinod Thomas served as director-general of the Independent Evaluation Group at the World Bank from 2006 to 2011.

Latest Articles

Sustainable development
Sustainable development
Opinion: Adani’s Vizhinjam port needs midcourse change as damage grows
10 Oct 2022
The Vizhinjam international seaport is a $1 billion development project in India's state of Kerala, being built by the Adani Group. Five years into construction, the environmental, social, and economic toll of the project require a midstream course correction.
World Bank
World Bank
Opinion: The real problem in the World Bank’s Doing Business indicator
19 Oct 2021
The public turmoil surrounding the bank's Doing Business report masks an even more fundamental problem — but there are ways to build a better index.
MDB Safeguards
MDB Safeguards
The controversy over safeguard policies
1 Feb 2016
Three safeguards policy experts say the World Bank now proposes replacing its safeguard policies with weaker and aspirational "standards" that may be met "flexibly" during a project's execution.
#SustainDev
#SustainDev
Actions for inclusion amid rising inequality
29 Jul 2015
There is no "one size fits all" for greater inclusion, but as inclusion assumes a big part of the SDGs, learning from the experience of programs for greater inclusion assumes urgency. A guest op-ed from Vinod Thomas, director general of independent evaluation at the Asian Development Bank.
Vinod Thomas on ADB's evolution
Vinod Thomas on ADB's evolution
ADB's unique moment in Asia
6 Jul 2015
ADB's emerging strategy and internal reforms are motivated by the value of an operational shift in the organization's offerings in the direction of a more inclusive and climate-friendly portfolio. An exclusive commentary from the director general of the bank's Independent Evaluation Department.
Vinod Thomas on multilateral development banks
Vinod Thomas on multilateral development banks
The real purpose for safeguard reform at MDBs
7 Oct 2014
At this week's annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group, one of the buzz topics will surely be the ongoing reform of the institution's safeguards policy. In a guest opinion, a senior official currently evaluating ADB safeguards suggests how MDBs can meet financial commitments without endangering social and environmental outcomes.
Vinod Thomas on impact evaluations
Vinod Thomas on impact evaluations
Impact evaluations to guide policy
3 Sep 2014
Impact evaluations of development programs are not yet common in policymaking, but they can guide policy and investments based on evidence instead of them being driven mostly by special interests. A guest opinion by Vinod Thomas, head of ADB's Independent Evaluation Department.
Vinod Thomas on good governance in Asia
Vinod Thomas on good governance in Asia
Asia's transformation through better governance
29 Aug 2014
Asian economies are outpacing the rest, but many countries still rank poorly on good governance. While it may be no panacea for development, it's imperative to address this challenge for inclusive, sustainable growth, the head of ADB's Independent Evaluation Committee writes in a guest opinion.
See all articles by Vinod Thomas