[BCM] [IsDB] [E1] [C4] Establishing Business Continuity Objectives

As a multilateral development bank serving its member countries across diverse geographies, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) operates in an increasingly complex and risk-prone environment.

Disruptions arising from geopolitical instability, pandemics, cyber threats, natural disasters, or operational failures can significantly impact IsDB’s ability to deliver development financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building programmes.

To address these risks systematically, IsDB implements a Business Continuity Management (BCM) programme in accordance with ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS).

Central to this programme is the establishment of clear, measurable, and strategic business continuity objectives that align with IsDB’s mission, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory obligations.

This chapter outlines the key business continuity objectives that guide IsDB’s BCM programme and support organisational resilience.

Purpose of Business Continuity Objectives at IsDB

Business continuity objectives at IsDB serve to:

• Translate organisational priorities into actionable continuity outcomes
• Provide direction for BCM planning, implementation, and performance measurement
• Ensure consistency between IsDB’s strategic goals and its operational resilience capabilities
• Support compliance with international standards, governance expectations, and best practices

These objectives ensure that business continuity is not treated as a purely technical exercise, but as a strategic enabler of IsDB’s mandate.

Key Business Continuity Objectives of IsDB

Ensure Continuity of Critical Development and Financial Services

A primary objective of IsDB’s BCM programme is to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of critical development banking services, including:

• Disbursement of development financing and grants
• Treasury and liquidity management
• Islamic finance operations and Shariah-compliant transactions
• Support for member countries during crises and emergencies

The BCM programme seeks to minimise service disruption and ensure that priority services can be maintained or rapidly resumed following a disruptive incident.

Protect Stakeholders, Assets, and Organisational Reputation

IsDB’s operations involve a wide range of stakeholders, including member countries, development partners, beneficiaries, employees, and regulators. Business continuity objectives, therefore, include:

• Safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of staff and visitors
• Protecting physical assets, information assets, and critical infrastructure
• Preserving trust and confidence in IsDB as a reliable and resilient development institution

By proactively managing disruption risks, IsDB reduces the likelihood of reputational damage and loss of stakeholder confidence.

Strengthen Organisational Resilience Across Geographies

Given IsDB’s global footprint and decentralised operations, another key objective is to build consistent resilience capabilities across headquarters, regional hubs, and country offices.

This includes:

• Standardising BCM policies, frameworks, and methodologies
• Ensuring that regional and country offices are adequately prepared for localised disruptions
• Enhancing coordination and interoperability across business units during crises

The BCM programme supports IsDB’s ability to respond effectively to both local and enterprise-wide disruptions.

Enhance Preparedness for Crisis and Emergency Situations

IsDB’s BCM objectives emphasise readiness for high-impact, low-probability events, such as:

• Global pandemics
• Political or security crises in member countries
• Major technology or cyber incidents
• Natural disasters affecting operations or beneficiaries

Through structured planning, exercise, and crisis-management integration, IsDB aims to improve decision-making, communication, and response effectiveness during emergencies.

Ensure Compliance with ISO 22301 and Governance Expectations

Another core objective is to establish and maintain a BCMS that conforms to ISO 22301 requirements and supports IsDB’s internal governance framework. This includes:

• Defining clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for BCM
• Establishing measurable BCM objectives and performance indicators
• Supporting internal audits, management reviews, and continual improvement

Compliance-driven objectives reinforce discipline, transparency, and accountability within the BCM programme.

Minimise Financial, Operational, and Developmental Impact of Disruptions

Disruptions can have far-reaching consequences, including financial losses, delayed development outcomes, and reduced programme effectiveness. IsDB’s BCM objectives, therefore, aim to:

• Reduce recovery time for critical business functions
• Limit financial exposure and operational inefficiencies
• Prevent cascading impacts on development projects and beneficiaries

This objective aligns BCM outcomes with IsDB’s broader development effectiveness goals.

Promote a Culture of Business Continuity and Risk Awareness

Beyond systems and plans, IsDB recognises the importance of people and culture. A key BCM objective is to:

• Increase awareness of business continuity responsibilities among staff
• Build competency through training, simulations, and exercises
• Encourage proactive identification and escalation of continuity risks

By embedding BCM into everyday operations, IsDB strengthens organisational resilience at all levels.

Alignment with IsDB’s Mission and Strategic Direction

The business continuity objectives outlined above directly support IsDB’s mission to foster sustainable development and resilience in its member countries.

By ensuring that IsDB itself remains operationally resilient, the organisation is better positioned to:

• Support member countries during times of crisis
• Maintain long-term development partnerships
• Demonstrate leadership and good governance as a multilateral development institution

BCM thus becomes an enabler of IsDB’s strategic and developmental mandate, rather than a standalone compliance activity.

The Islamic Development Bank's business continuity objectives provide a clear foundation for implementing and sustaining an effective BCM programme aligned with ISO 22301.

These objectives focus on service continuity, stakeholder protection, organisational resilience, crisis preparedness, compliance, and cultural integration.

By clearly defining and pursuing these objectives, IsDB strengthens its ability to withstand disruptions, respond decisively to crises, and continue delivering value to its member countries and stakeholders—reinforcing its role as a resilient and trusted development partner.

Building Resilience: A Guide to Business Continuity Management at IsDB
eBook 1: Understanding Your Organisation: Islamic Development Bank
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