During the Civil Society Organizations and ADB Senior Management meeting on 7 May in Milan, ADB President Masato Kanda discussed the current uncertainty felt at the global level, highlighting opportunities for ADB and the civil society to strengthen their collaboration in addressing complex problems. The President described the approval of the Civil Society Approach and the Environmental and Social Framework as important milestones for meaningful stakeholder engagement and enhanced ADB-supported operations. President Kanda, along with the department heads of the Climate Change and Sustainable Department, Office of Safeguards, and Sectors Department 1 and 3, discussed ADB’s energy policy, investment in energy transition, critical mineral supply chain, social inclusion, job creation, climate agenda, and environmental and social safeguards. More than 200 civil society representatives participated in this year’s annual meeting.

ADB President Masato Kanda, together with the heads of departments of climate change and sustainable development, safeguards, energy and transport sector, and human and social development, had a dialogue with CSOs attending the ADB’s annual meeting. In his keynote message, President Kanda discussed the evolution of ADB’s new operating model that is more decentralized and aims to deliver faster and more agile ADB operations. He also updated the participants about the two recent policy updates related to making the ADB’s engagement with civil society better: the new CSO Engagement Approach Paper, and the Stakeholder and Information Disclosure standard as part of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF). 

At the open forum segment, CSO representatives reiterated their calls to ADB to phase out investments in fossil fuels, ensure early and binding safeguards in all projects, and address project-related harms. They also called for public disclosure of documents and processes in the ongoing review of ADB’s Accountability Mechanism and ensure that remedy is integral to the mechanism. Representatives from trade unions emphasized the need for social dialogue involving workers, governments and employers for a just energy transition, and confirmed their support for the implementation of ADB’s ESF. ADB representatives responded by reaffirming commitments to net-zero goals, air pollution policy development, quality jobs, inclusive growth, and protection against reprisals. They committed to listening more to CSOs and other stakeholders, stressing the need to find solutions together based on frank dialogues to improve society, and protect the environment and the most vulnerable.  

CSO representatives further asked about ensuring community participation, gender equality, protection of indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ inclusion in ADB-financed projects. ADB acknowledged these concerns and referenced the ESF as a tool for ensuring social inclusion and environmental protection. The meeting concluded with ADB representatives affirming the bank's commitment to open dialogue and collaboration with civil society to find solutions for complex development challenges.