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 01 January 2025 02 January 2025 03 January 2025 04 January 2025 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 by… 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 by… 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 Read Also ADB.org I ADB Environmental and Social Requirements Website Topics ADB Administration and Governance Environment Social Development and Protection Governance and Public Sector Management Knowledge Management