Data Room: Safeguard Policy Review and Update
30 January 2025

Environmental and Social Framework

Approved by ADB’s Board of Directors in 22 November 2024, the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) builds on the findings and recommendations of ADB’s corporate evaluation of its 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS), detailed analytical studies, and extensive engagement with diverse stakeholders during the safeguard policy review and update. The ESF is expected to become effective 1 January 2026, or at a later date as determined by ADB Management. The SPS will continue to apply to projects that have an approved concept note prior to the effective date of the ESF.

Safeguard Policy Review and Update
In May 2020, ADB’s Independent Evaluation Department (IED) completed a corporate evaluation of the SPS and recommended revisions to the policy and associated business processes and implementation requirements. ADB commenced a comprehensive SPS review and update (SPRU) process, considering the changing development context and evolving challenges and capacities of ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) and clients.
The main objectives of the SPRU are to (i) modernize the policy and apply good practices; (ii) harmonize with other MDBs; (iii) adapt to regional needs and financing modalities; and (iv) enhance business processes and efficiency. These objectives are aimed at improving the implementation and outcomes for project-affected persons and the environment.
Stakeholder Engagement
The review included a series of internal and external stakeholder consultations with member countries, development partners, governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, project affected people, indigenous peoples, and vulnerable groups.
Stakeholder engagement was conducted in three phases:
  • Phase 1: Launch the policy review; draft and share Stakeholders Engagement Plan, (SEP) preliminary information sessions
  • Phase 2: Undertake stakeholder consultations on analytical and benchmarking studies and policy recommendations and their implications on policy revision.
  • Phase 3: Disclose draft safeguards policy and the final stage of consultations
This data room contains resources that were prepared during the Safeguard Policy Review and Update.
Program and Learning Materials
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Initial Consultation and Stakeholder Outreach
27 November 2020 Background Information Paper for SPRU (English)
27 November 2020 Background Information Paper for SPRU (Bahasa Indonesia)
27 November 2020 Background Information Paper for SPRU (中文)
27 November 2020 Background Information Paper for SPRU (हिन्दी)
27 November 2020 Background Information Paper for SPRU (Русский)
27 November 2020 Brochure on the Background Information Paper on the Safeguard Policy Review
7 April 2021 Draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan
12 April - 19 May 2021 Online Preliminary Information Session
ADB conducted a comprehensive review and update of its Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) approved in 2009, as part of its commitment to continue…
12 April - 19 May 2021 Written Feedback from Stakeholders
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiated an update of its 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) in August 2020 following a corporate evaluation by…
11 October 2021 Preliminary Information Session Summaries
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Consultations on Studies, Experiences and Policy Directions
28 July 2021 Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (English)
28 July 2021 Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (Bahasa Indonesia)
28 July 2021 Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (中文)
28 July 2021 Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (हिन्दी)
28 July 2021 Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (Русский)
June 2021 - 31 March 2023 ADB Safeguard Policy Review and Update: Phase 2 Consultations
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is conducting a comprehensive review and update of the 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS). Stakeholder…
9 November 2023 Summary of Phase 2 Stakeholder Consultations
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
7 September 2023 Draft Environmental and Social Framework
6 October 2023 Environmental and Social Framework (W-Paper)
2 November 2023 - 10 May 2024 ADB Safeguard Policy Review and Update: Phase 3 Consultations
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is conducting a comprehensive review and update of the 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS). The SPS review…
25 September 2024 Revised Environmental and Social Framework
25 September 2024 Revised Environmental and Social Framework (Redline Version)
26 September 2024 Summary of changes between ESF draft 1 and ESF draft 2
2 October 2024 Summary of Phase 3 Stakeholder Consultations
2 October 2024 Civil Society Stakeholder Comments and Feedback on the Draft ESF Received through Feedback Form and Email
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiated an update of its 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) in August 2020 following a corporate evaluation…
31 October 2024 Environmental and Social Framework: Policy Paper
31 October 2024 Environmental and Social Framework
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Policy Documents
7 September 2023 Draft Environmental and Social Framework
25 September 2024 Revised Environmental and Social Framework
25 September 2024 Revised Environmental and Social Framework (Redline Version)
26 September 2024 Summary of changes between ESF draft 1 and ESF draft 2
31 October 2024 Environmental and Social Framework: Policy Paper
31 October 2024 Environmental and Social Framework
Stakeholder Engagement
Phase 1
7 April 2021 Draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan
11 October 2021 Preliminary Information Session Summaries
Written Feedback from Stakeholders
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiated an update of its 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) in August 2020 following a corporate evaluation by…
Phase 2
28 July 2021 Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan
June 2021 - 31 March 2023 Summary of Phase 2 Stakeholder Consultations
Phase 3
Civil Society Stakeholder Comments and Feedback on the Draft ESF Received through Feedback Form and Email
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiated an update of its 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) in August 2020 following a corporate evaluation…
2 October 2024 Summary of Phase 3 Stakeholder Consultations
Independent Evaluation Department evaluation reports
15 May 2020 Corporate Evaluation on the Effectiveness of the 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement
16 October 2014 Safeguards Operational Review: ADB Processes, Portfolio, Country Systems, and Financial Intermediaries
18 December 2014 Learning Lessons: ADB's Safeguard Policy
Technical Assistance projects supporting the review and update
12 December 2019 Technical Assistance Report for KSTA (53125-001)-REG: Strengthening Safeguards Implementation in ADB Projects
14 July 2020 Technical Assistance Report KSTA (54203-001)-Reg: Strengthening ADB's Safeguard Policy Provisions and Procedures

Disclaimer

The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Event Coordinator/s

  • Madhumita Gupta

ADB Organizer/s

  • Office of Safeguards

Topics

  • ADB Administration and Governance
  • Environment
  • Social Development and Protection
  • Governance and Public Sector Management
  • Knowledge Management