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NGO Forum comments on ADB ESF R-paper

 

Following NGO Forum on ADB network and allies call for redrafting the ADB ESF W-paper we acknowledge the substantial changes made to the current R-paper. We have also appreciated the lengthy in-person discussion held with the Office of the Safeguards team in Manila following the release of the R-paper. We are pleased that some key revisions and additions that were advocated for by civil society that are reflected in the R-paper include –

 

  • 120-day disclosure period for sovereign projects

  • Common Approach: Commitment to applying the requirements among the co-financiers that are the most stringent or protective of the project-affected persons and/or the environment

  • The Financial Intermediaries annex is now included in the overall ESF framework

NGO Forum on ADB's

 

17 September 2024

 

Mr. Jin Liqun

President

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

 

Dear Pres. Jin,

 

We have reviewed your response to our letter requesting formal civil society panel sessions (sent August 30) and concluded that the program remains unchanged per your website's schedule. Therefore, we regretfully decline this year’s participation at the AIIB Annual Meeting in Uzbekistan and are calling for a boycott of the event by our network. However, we acknowledge that some members may attend the meeting in person while supporting the Forum network's boycott and its principles.

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AIIB OBSERVER Volume 2

As the 2024 AIIB Annual Meeting begins, the Forum Network renews its call for transparency, accountability, and meaningful community engagement. In response, we proudly present AIIB Observer, Volume 2, a platform dedicated to amplifying the stories of communities impacted by AIIB-funded projects. This issue covers key topics, including the Forum Network's boycott of the AIIB Annual Meeting due to exclusionary practices, highlighting the persistent concerns about the Bank's disregard for inclusive dialogue. It also delves into the alarming issues of land grabbing, environmental degradation, and human rights violations linked to the Mandalika project in Indonesia.

Furthermore, we explore the lack of accountability in AIIB's financial dealings, particularly through investments like Bayfront Infrastructure Management, questioning whether innovative financing is being used to evade responsibility. The publication also examines why development banks should reconsider funding the Rogun Mega-Dam in Tajikistan, emphasizing its environmental and human costs. Finally, we showcase the joint recommendations of 34 civil society organizations calling for stronger mechanisms to protect communities affected by AIIB projects. Through AIIB Observer, we aim to raise awareness and advocate for greater accountability and justice in infrastructure development.

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