Fridays from the Field

As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) prepares for its 59th Annual Meeting in Samarkand in 2026, it continues to speak about responsible development, climate action, and its commitment to “Do No Harm.” These are strong words. But for many communities affected by ADB-funded projects, the reality on the ground tells a very different story.

This year’s Annual Meeting is happening at a time of deep global uncertainty. Wars and geopolitical tensions are reshaping economies, driving up the cost of energy, and disrupting lives across regions. For many countries in Asia, this has meant rising electricity prices, increased debt pressure, and greater dependence on large-scale infrastructure and energy projects. In moments like this, development institutions like ADB claim to play a stabilizing role. But for communities already living with the impacts of these projects, the crisis is not new—it has been ongoing for years.

Across Asia and the Pacific, people living with ADB-funded projects report delayed or missing environmental information, rushed or token consultations, and constant barriers when they try to raise concerns. Some communities face fear and intimidation simply for speaking out. Grievance systems, which are supposed to provide remedy, are often slow, inaccessible, or ineffective. Meanwhile, private companies involved in these projects are rarely held accountable in a meaningful way. These are not isolated incidents. They point to deeper, systemic problems in how safeguards are designed, implemented, and enforced.

It is in this context that Fridays from the Field is being launched—a publication series that brings the voices and experiences of affected communities directly into the conversation ahead of the Annual Meeting. From March 27 to April 24, 2026, civil society groups from across the region will present new research and documentation on the impacts of ADB-funded projects. These include a geothermal project in Indonesia, an urban infrastructure project in Kolkata, a hydropower project affecting Indigenous communities in Nepal, and a road project in Manipur. While each case is different, they all reveal the same pattern: communities are too often left out, unheard, and unprotected.

At the heart of this series is what we describe as ADB’s “Seven Cardinal Sins.” These are not abstract ideas, but recurring failures that appear again and again in projects across countries. Non-disclosure happens when critical information like environmental impact assessments is not shared on time, preventing communities from making informed decisions. Neglect is seen in consultation processes that are rushed or exclude those most affected. Intimidation continues to be a real risk for people who raise concerns or file complaints. Inefficiency is reflected in grievance mechanisms that fail to deliver timely or effective remedies. Impunity persists when private sector borrowers and financial intermediaries are not held accountable for harm. Abandonment is evident when the principle of “Do No Harm” is weakened or ignored in practice. And oversight failures reveal structural gaps in monitoring and enforcement, allowing these problems to continue.

In the context of energy and climate, these failures become even more urgent. As global conflicts push fuel prices higher and governments scramble for energy security, large-scale energy projects are being fast-tracked, often at the expense of proper safeguards. Communities are left dealing with displacement, rising electricity costs, and long-term environmental damage, while decisions are made far from where these impacts are felt. At the same time, ADB continues to position itself as a leader in climate finance, even as gaps between its commitments and actual project outcomes remain visible on the ground.

Fridays from the Field aims to bring these realities into spaces where decisions are made. Too often, discussions at high-level meetings are disconnected from what is happening on the ground. This series challenges that gap by presenting concrete evidence and lived experiences, and by linking them to decisions made by ADB’s management and board. It asks difficult but necessary questions: why do these problems keep happening, who is responsible, and what needs to change?

As the Annual Meeting approaches, there will be many conversations about resilience, recovery, and sustainable development in a time of global crisis. But these conversations cannot ignore the people who are already bearing the cost of development gone wrong. If ADB is serious about its commitments, then it must listen to the communities most affected by its projects—and act on what they are saying.

Development cannot be measured only by investments or infrastructure built, especially in a world already shaped by conflict and uncertainty. It must be measured by whether it protects people, respects their rights, and responds to the realities they face. Fridays from the Field is an invitation to listen—but more importantly, it is a call to act.

The sessions will be livestreamed on NGO Forum on ADB’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and recordings will also be made available on their YouTube channel, ensuring that these conversations reach a wider audience beyond the usual policy spaces.