Indian economist Geeta Batra (57) was named the new Director at the Independent Evaluation Office of the World Bank's Global Environment Facility (GEF). She became the first Indian woman to hold this positon. Currently she is the Chief Evaluator & Deputy Director for Evaluation at the GEF's Independent Evaluation Office (IEO). Her name was unanimously recommended for the coveted position at the 66th GEF Council Meeting held in Washington.

* In 2015, Batra joined the GEF's IEO (established in July 2003) - which assesses the progress and impact of GEF interventions.