Jean-Roger Mercier, MICI's independent expert, dies

The expert in environmental and social sustainability, Jean-Roger Mercier, member of the Roster of independent experts of MICI's Verification Compliance Phase, passed away on July 5, at the age of 74.

Jean-Roger, a highly recognized and internationally respected expert, devoted more than 40 years of his career to the evaluation and management of environmental and social impacts in projects around the world. In 2004 he received the Rose-Hulman Award from the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) for his contributions in this field at the international level. Jean Roger actively contributed to the improvement, updating and training of the World Bank's environmental and social safeguards system and, in recent years, collaborated with different accountability mechanisms of development institutions, such as MICI.

Jean-Roger was currently part of the Compliance Review Panel in charge of the MICI investigation of the Hydroelectric Projects Generadora San Mateo S.A. and Generadora San Andrés S.A., in Guatemala (MICI-CII-GU-2018-0136). The Panel and the MICI Compliance Review Phase have lost an important and valuable member of their team. MICI will miss his expertise, knowledge, and, above all, his strength, generosity, and good humor in the performance of his work.

Mercier's professionalism and commitment to social and environmental development will continue to be a constant example for the entire MICI team, who deeply regret his loss.