এশিয়ান ডেভেলপমেন্ট ব্যাংক (এডিবি)

প্রজেক্ট মনিটরিং

The AIIB Project-affected People’s Mechanism (PPM) was established as the bank’s accountability framework to address complaints from communities harmed by AIIB-financed projects, aiming to provide redress and uphold the bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) commitments. However, civil society organizations have raised serious concerns about its accessibility, independence, and effectiveness. Since its inception in 2019, only a handful of cases have been formally registered—most notably, the 2022 complaint filed by CLEAN and the NGO Forum on ADB regarding the Bhola IPP project in Bangladesh, which alleged coerced land acquisition, environmental damage, and lack of consultation (CLEAN & Forum on ADB, 2022). Critics argue that procedural barriers—such as the requirement to exhaust project-level grievance mechanisms first—and vague timelines for response undermine the PPM’s credibility (Urgewald, 2023).

Furthermore, the PPM is structurally embedded within AIIB’s management, raising doubts about its independence compared to more autonomous accountability mechanisms at institutions like the ADB or World Bank (Recourse, 2022). As AIIB expands its project portfolio, particularly in sectors like fossil gas, large hydro, and waste-to-energy, civil society advocates urge the bank to reform the PPM to ensure it can meaningfully serve communities affected by harmful infrastructure and to strengthen enforcement of safeguard violations, not merely mediate them.

References:

CLEAN & Forum on ADB. (2022). Formal complaint to AIIB on Bhola IPP project. https://www.forum-adb.org
Recourse. (2022). Accountability in Multilateral Development Banks: Comparative Analysis. https://www.re-course.org
Urgewald. (2023). AIIB Watch: North Dhaka Waste-to-Energy. https://www.urgewald.org

FAQs on AIIB's PPM

What is the PPM?

The PPM is the AIIB’s accountability mechanism, created to address complaints from individuals or communities who believe they have been adversely affected by an AIIB-financed project. It is designed to uphold the bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).

Who can file a complaint?

Any two or more affected individuals (or their representative) who believe that an AIIB project has caused them harm related to environmental or social issues may submit a complaint to the PPM.

What issues can the PPM investigate?

The PPM can examine whether AIIB has failed to follow its own Environmental and Social Policy, leading to harm. It does not address corruption, procurement disputes, or policy disagreements.

Is it independent of AIIB management?

This is a point of contention. While the PPM is technically separate from project operations, it is structurally housed within AIIB’s management, unlike more independent mechanisms at other multilateral banks (Recourse, 2022).

What’s the process for submitting a complaint?

Complainants must first attempt to resolve issues through the Project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). If unresolved, they can then file a request for compliance review or problem-solving with the PPM.

Are there any real examples of PPM complaints?

Yes. In 2022, civil society groups CLEAN and Forum on ADB filed the first known complaint against the Bhola IPP gas plant in Bangladesh, citing coerced land acquisition, waterlogging, and a lack of meaningful consultation (CLEAN & Forum on ADB, 2022).

What are the limitations of the PPM?

Civil society organizations have raised several concerns:

Difficult access and awareness for affected communities
Delays and vague response timelines
Requirement to first exhaust local remedies
Lack of structural independence from AIIB
Outcomes that may lack enforcement power

What reforms are being demanded?

Forumnetwork call for the PPM to be:

More independent from AIIB management
Easier to access for marginalized communities
More transparent, with timely responses
Able to enforce remedies and monitor compliance

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