Policy Dialogue with CSOs 2: Approaching the Last Mile for a Strong Safeguards Policy

Event: The 56th ADB Annual Meeting: Civil Society Program

Policy Dialogue with CSOs 2: Approaching the Last Mile for a Strong Safeguards Policy

03 May 2023

by NGO Forum on ADB and Accountability Counsel.

Panelists from the NGO Forum on ADB discussed their feedback regarding the implementation of the ADB’s environmental and social safeguards citing examples and exhibiting related photos from Indonesia, Nepal, and the Philippines. ADB’s United States Executive Director, Ambassador Chantale Wong opened the session by noting that the review and update of ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement are timely, as the current policy is 15 years old. She indicated that the USA’s priority is to make sure that no one should be harmed by ADB-supported projects and emphasized the importance of attention to safeguards implementation with adequate resources and training for clients and ADB staff.

CSOs presented examples where meaningful consultations were lacking and asked how the new policy would prevent these. The Accountability Counsel presented a comparative analysis of accountability mechanisms in multilateral development banks (MDBs), including the ADB. They hoped that the upcoming review of ADB’s Accountability Mechanism will address areas for improvement.

Director of ADB’s Safeguards Division Bruce Dunn committed to looking into the specific project cases that CSOs highlighted. He emphasized that ADB considers CSO engagement invaluable and that stakeholder engagement as standard in the forthcoming Environment and Social Framework (ESF) would expand the opportunities for civil society participation. He noted the extensive consultations through more than 130 events organized by ADB on the ongoing safeguard policy review. He also mentioned that gender inclusion, diversity especially engagement with indigenous people, and partnerships with local communities are crucial as ADB revisits its safeguarding policy. He reaffirmed the critical importance of the do-no-harm principle as well as the need to build the capacities of clients and ADB staff in safeguards implementation. Participants asked whether the incinerators funded by ADB meet international standards and whether the new ESF will include specific provisions for meaningful youth engagement. Mr. Dunn responded that while there is no agreed international standard for incinerators, ADB follows good international practice and that the ESF will engage with stakeholders along the full age spectrum.

CSO Panelists:

Radhika Goyal, Policy Associate, Accountability Counsel
Rene Ofreneo, President, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Philippines
Titi Soentoro, Executive Director, Aksi! Indonesia
Ritu Thapa, Founding Member and Treasurer, Indigenous Women Legal Awareness Group, Nepal

ADB Panelists:

Ambassador Chantale Wong, Executive Director to the United States
Bruce Dunn, Director, Safeguards, Sustainable Development, and Climate Change Department

Moderator: Annabel Perreras, Safeguards Advocacy Coordinator, NGO Forum on ADB

Type of Content:

Learning Event

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