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PAKISTAN BANGLADESH INDIA INDONESIA PHILIPPINES বাংলাদেশ বাংলাদেশ সূত্র: বাংলাদেশ: কোভিড-১৯ অ্যাক্টিভ রেসপন্স অ্যান্ড এক্সপেন্ডিচার সাপোর্ট প্রোগ্রাম LATEST NEWS UPDATES 19 November 2021 ADB approves $500million loan to help Indonesia improve human capital ​ 5 April 2021 ADB approves $450 M loan to help Indonesia deliver effective COVID-19 vaccines

PAKISTAN BANGLADESH INDIA INDONESIA PHILIPPINES বাংলাদেশ বাংলাদেশ সূত্র: বাংলাদেশ: কোভিড-১৯ অ্যাক্টিভ রেসপন্স অ্যান্ড এক্সপেন্ডিচার সাপোর্ট প্রোগ্রাম LATEST NEWS Read the latest COVID-19 Research produced by Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Change Initiatives in Bangladesh Download UPDATES 22 January 2022 Bangladesh to approach ADB for $940m in fresh aid ​ 29 November 2021 ADB extends $150 million loan to help small enterprises to recover ​ 18 November 2021 $150m ADB loan to support Covid-hit small enterprises in Bangladesh ​ 3 November 2021 AIIB to extend $250 million loan for economic recovery ​ 24 September 2021 ADB Approves $250 Million Loan for Bangladesh Economic Recovery Program ​ 26 June 2021 ADB Approves $940 Million for Bangladesh COVID-19 Vaccines WEBINAR SERIES: BANGLADESH Hasan Mehedi from CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network), Bangladesh shares the findings of the research ‘Country Assessment Report on COVID-19 recovery loans provided by Bilateral and Multilateral Financial Institution in Bangladesh’. The research aims to revitalize Governance and Public Interest in the COVID19 Recovery External Debts provided by International Financial Institutes (IFIs).

PAKISTAN BANGLADESH INDIA INDONESIA PHILIPPINES এশিয়ান ডেভেলপমেন্ট ব্যাঙ্ক (ADB) এবং এশিয়ান ইনফ্রাস্ট্রাকচার ইনভেস্টমেন্ট ব্যাঙ্ক (AIIB) কোভিড-১৯ পুনরুদ্ধার ঋণ এবং বিতরণের নিরীক্ষণের জন্য একটি অনলাইন বুলেটিন সিস্টেম এবং জ্ঞান ভাগ করে নেওয়ার পৃষ্ঠা যা স্টেকহোল্ডাররা বিশ্লেষণ এবং পর্যালোচনার জন্য ব্যবহার করতে পারেন। ট্র্যাকিং শুরু করুন বাংলাদেশ পাকিস্তান ফিলিপাইনস ইন্দোনেশিয়া

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT History Network Structure International Committee International Secretariat FAQ রায়ান হাসান নির্বাহী পরিচালক ​ রায়ান হাসান একজন বাংলাদেশী নাগরিক এবং এডিবিতে এনজিও ফোরামের বর্তমান নির্বাহী পরিচালক। তার পরিবেশগত অধ্যয়নের পটভূমি রয়েছে ( এনএসইউ, ঢাকা, বাংলাদেশ ), এবং সামাজিক পরিবর্তন ও উন্নয়নে ( UOW, অস্ট্রেলিয়া ) স্নাতকোত্তর। বর্তমানে তিনি রাষ্ট্রবিজ্ঞানে ডক্টরেট করছেন দিলিমানে ফিলিপাইনের ইউনিভার্সিটি যখন তিনি ফোরাম নেটওয়ার্ক এবং এর প্রচারণার তত্ত্বাবধান করেন। একজন সুশীল সমাজের উকিল হিসাবে তিনি নিয়মিত নীতিনির্ধারকদের সাথে যুক্ত হন এডিবি এবং এআইআইবি এবং তাদের প্রধান শেয়ারহোল্ডার; উন্নয়ন বিতর্কের সামনে সম্প্রদায়ের সমস্যা নিয়ে আসা। এর সহায়তা ও নির্দেশনার মাধ্যমে ফোরাম ইন্টারন্যাশনাল কমিটি, তিনি স্থানীয়, আঞ্চলিক এবং বৈশ্বিক প্ল্যাটফর্মে সুশীল সমাজ গোষ্ঠীর সাথে নতুন জোট গঠন এবং প্রচারাভিযান বাস্তবায়ন অব্যাহত রেখেছেন। ফোরামে তার কাজ পরিবেশগত ও সামাজিক ন্যায়বিচারের গুরুত্ব বোঝাতে এবং IFI-কে দায়বদ্ধ রাখার ক্ষেত্রে অবিচল থাকে। আপনি rayyan [at] forum-adb.org এ তার সাথে যোগাযোগ করতে পারেন। জেন ডেরিলো যোগাযোগের জন্য প্রোগ্রাম সমন্বয়কারী ​ জেন 15 বছরেরও বেশি সময় ধরে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের অধ্যাপক হিসাবে কাজ করেছেন। ফিলিপাইনের পলিটেকনিক ইউনিভার্সিটি, সান সেবাস্টিয়ান কলেজ-রেকোলেটস, কলেজ অফ ডিভাইন উইজডম, অ্যাডামসন ইউনিভার্সিটি, অ্যাঞ্জেলিকাম কলেজ, এবং কলেজ অফ হলি স্পিরিট হল সেই শিক্ষা প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলির মধ্যে যেগুলির সাথে তার জড়িত থাকার সুযোগ ছিল৷ উন্নয়ন কাজের সঙ্গে তার প্রথম এক্সপোজার ছিল ফিলিপাইন মিসেরিওর পার্টনারশিপ ইনক. ম্যানিলা, ফিলিপাইন ভিত্তিক। ফিলিপাইনের পলিটেকনিক ইউনিভার্সিটি থেকে ব্রডকাস্ট কমিউনিকেশনে তার ডিগ্রী আছে এবং কমিউনিকেশনে স্নাতকোত্তর ডিগ্রি আছে, সেইসাথে মিডিয়া কালচার মাস্ট্রিচ ইউনিভার্সিটি , নেদারল্যান্ডস। তিনি বর্তমানে থেকে সাংস্কৃতিক নৃবিজ্ঞান এবং উন্নয়ন স্টাডিজে স্নাতক ডিগ্রি শেষ করছেন KU Leuven, বেলজিয়াম । তার পোর্টফোলিও দেখতে ক্লিক করুন এখানে. আপনি তার কাছে পৌঁছাতে পারেন জেন [এ] forum-adb.org. তানিয়া লি রবার্টস-ডেভিস শক্তি প্রচারাভিযান কৌশলবিদ ​ ফোরামের সদস্য এবং সহযোগীদের সাথে একসাথে, তানিয়া ADB এবং AIIB শক্তি নীতি এবং আর্থিক অগ্রাধিকারগুলিকে বৃহৎ-স্কেল, সম্পদ-নিবিড় এবং জীবাশ্ম-জ্বালানি-নির্ভর বিকল্পগুলি থেকে দূরে সরিয়ে দেওয়ার জন্য কাজ করে। বেশ কয়েক বছর ধরে, তিনি স্থানীয় সম্প্রদায় এবং বাস্তুতন্ত্রের ক্ষতি এবং অবিচারের জন্য আর্থিক প্রতিষ্ঠান এবং ট্রান্সন্যাশনাল কর্পোরেশনগুলির কাছ থেকে দায়বদ্ধতার দাবিতে কমিউনিটি গ্রুপ, এনজিও এবং সামাজিক আন্দোলনের অংশ ছিলেন। অতীতে, তিনি ADB এর শক্তি পোর্টফোলিও পর্যালোচনা করতে, নীতি ব্রিফিং লিখতে এবং ম্যানিলায় ADB সদর দফতরে অ্যাডভোকেসি প্রচেষ্টায় অবদান রাখতে ফোরামের সদস্য এবং সচিবালয় দলের সাথে কাজ করেছেন। ​ তানিয়া কানাডায় নারীবাদী অধ্যয়ন এবং বিশ্বায়নের রাজনীতিতে স্নাতক ডিগ্রি, কোস্টা রিকার ইউনাইটেড নেশনস ইউনিভার্সিটি ফর পিস-এ আন্তর্জাতিক মানবাধিকার আইনে এমএ এবং ইউনিভার্সিটি অফ এসেক্স স্কুলে অর্থনৈতিক, সামাজিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক অধিকারে এলএলএম সম্পন্ন করেছেন। ইউকে আইন. ​ আপনি তার কাছে পৌঁছাতে পারেন তানিয়া [at] forum-adb.org-এ। ANNABEL PERRERAS Project Data Analyst Annabel is a Filipino national and was a Smitu Kothari Fellow at International Accountability Project. Prior to the program, Ann has been involved with the NGO Forum on ADB in different capacities working on IFI issues of transparency, accountability and social justice. She has professional experience and competencies in policy advocacy and program management. Ann had the opportunity to work with its partner local CSOs seeking redress in ADB’s Accountability Mechanism and be involved in the safeguards evaluation process of the Bank. ​ Before her advocacy work at the Forum, her interest to local governance led her to join the Leagues of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) as the Junior Program Officer. Her role helped her handle projects on improving the state of maternal health in the country, making cities resilient and competitive among others. Ann has a background on political science and a Diploma on Urban and Regional Planning. She is also currently undertaking her Juris Doctor degree. You can reach her at ann.perreras [at] forum-adb.org. ডেনিস পল মিডিয়া কমিউনিকেশন অ্যান্ড সাপোর্ট লিয়াজোন অফিসার ​ ডেনিসের রেডিও, মুদ্রণ, ইভেন্ট এবং বিপণনের অভিজ্ঞতা রয়েছে। কলেজ অফ ডিভাইন উইজডম থেকে একজন কমিউনিকেশন মেজর স্নাতক, ফোরামের আগে, রিমেট নিউজ অনলাইনের ম্যানেজিং এডিটর ছিলেন, যেখানে তিনি অনলাইন নিউজ বিভাগের পুনর্গঠন এবং আপগ্রেডের নেতৃত্ব দিয়েছিলেন। অনলাইন সংবাদ বিভাগের রি-ব্র্যান্ডিং-এর ক্ষেত্রেও তিনি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। তিনি আরএমএন নিউজ অনলাইনের ডিজিটাল সংবাদ বিভাগ চালু করতেও সহায়তা করেন। ডেন ছিলেন ভয়েস অফ দ্য ইয়ুথের প্রাক্তন জাতীয় নির্বাহী পরিচালক, একটি যুব সংগঠন যা যুবকদের তথ্য, অনুপ্রেরণা, জড়িত এবং ক্ষমতায়নের মাধ্যমে ইতিবাচক সামাজিক পরিবর্তনের প্রচার করে। DZXL RMN, DZIQ, DWDD, এবং Brigada News FM-এ বিভিন্ন যুব রেডিও প্রোগ্রামের জন্য ডেন একজন অভিজ্ঞ রেডিও সম্প্রচারক। এছাড়াও তিনি একজন প্রেরণাদায়ক বক্তা যিনি পাবলিক স্পীকিং, রেডিও সম্প্রচার এবং ব্যক্তিগত ব্র্যান্ডিং-এর ক্ষেত্রে বিশেষ দক্ষতা অর্জন করেন। আপনি তার কাছে পৌঁছাতে পারেন ডেনিস [এ] forum-adb.org. চ্যারিটি ক্যান্টিলো-ডেলা টরে প্রশাসনিক ও অর্থ সমন্বয়কারী ​ চ্যারিটি বা লালা জুলাই 2003 সালে ফোরামে যোগদান করেন। সামাজিক উন্নয়নমূলক কাজে তার প্রায় বিশ বছরের অভিজ্ঞতা রয়েছে। এর অংশ ছিলেন লালা GABRIELA , 1991 থেকে 1993 সাল পর্যন্ত বিভিন্ন সেক্টরের নারী গোষ্ঠীর একটি ছাতা সংগঠন। তিনি কাজ করেছেন কানলুঙ্গান সেন্টার ফাউন্ডেশন, ইনকর্পোরেটেড , একটি অভিবাসী সংকট কেন্দ্র, 1993 থেকে 2000 পর্যন্ত। লালার সাথে একটি সংক্ষিপ্ত কার্যকালও ছিল ফিলিপাইন গ্রামীণ ও পুনর্গঠন আন্দোলন (PRRM)। আপনি তার কাছে পৌঁছাতে পারেন lcantillo [এ] forum-adb.org. প্যাট্রিসিয়া রডুলফা সাইমন অ্যাডমিন এবং ফিন্যান্স অফিসার ​ প্যাট্রিসিয়া রোডুলফা সাইমন গত ছয় বছর ধরে ফোরামের সাথে আছেন। সে একজন BS অ্যাকাউন্ট্যান্সির স্নাতক এবং নেটওয়ার্কের অ্যাডমিন এবং ফাইন্যান্স অফিসার। ​ তিনি পড়া, স্বেচ্ছাসেবক এবং কম্পিউটার/প্রযুক্তিগত বিষয়গুলিকে আকর্ষণীয় মনে করেন। ​ আপনি প্যাটি এ প্যাটি পৌঁছাতে পারেন [এ] forum-adb.org.

PAKISTAN BANGLADESH INDIA INDONESIA PHILIPPINES বাংলাদেশ বাংলাদেশ সূত্র: বাংলাদেশ: কোভিড-১৯ অ্যাক্টিভ রেসপন্স অ্যান্ড এক্সপেন্ডিচার সাপোর্ট প্রোগ্রাম LATEST NEWS Read the latest COVID-19 Research produced by Growthwatch, India from the Philippines and NGO Forum on ADB. Download UPDATES 22 February 2022 ADB lends record USD 4.6 bn loans to India in 2021 ​ 1 December 2021 ADB approves $1.5 B for COVID-19 vaccines in India ​ 21 November 2021 Why is India taking out loans for covid-19 vaccines? ​ 24 November 2021 Govt of India, Asian Development Bank sign $300 million loan ​ 21 May 2021 ADB commits record USD 3.92 billion loan to India in 2020

Collective Civil Society Statement on ESF Draft: Calling for an Overhaul and immediate redrafting After two years of engaging in the formal ADB review consultation process, during which we collectively sought to consistently raise critical concerns and provide formal inputs to the ADB's Office of Safeguards in good faith, we would have expected to see these recommendations meaningfully reflected in the outcome document. Indeed, this was the reason why we attended online and in-person meetings with ADB’s safeguard staff, calling for a forward-looking policy rewrite that would require all financing flows to adhere to a binding framework underpinned by an unequivocal commitment to uphold international human and environmental rights. Start Reading THE AIIB OBSERVER As the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) commences, the Forum Network recognizes this moment as a crucial opportunity to shed light on the critical issues of AIIB's transparency, accountability, and meaningful engagement. These concerns have been consistently at the forefront of our agenda in previous years. ​ In our unwavering commitment to advancing our mission, we introduce the 'AIIB Observer,' a newspaper tabloid designed to highlight the stories of communities directly impacted by AIIB-funded projects. Our central aim with this tabloid is to provide a platform for the voices that often remain unheard – the voices of community members who have shouldered the burdens imposed by AIIB's development vision. Through the 'AIIB Observer,' we endeavor to convey these communities' struggles, challenges, and unfortunate experiences to AIIB's leadership, the media, and the broader public. ​ Within the 'AIIB Observer pages,' you will discover a compelling collection of stories, each shedding light on a specific project. These stories encompass diverse regions and projects, including the Bhola IPP in Bangladesh, the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, the Cambodia PRASAC COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Facility, the Cambodia Emergency and Crisis Response Facility, the Everbright Infrastructure Investment Fund II, and the Unique Meghnaghat 584MW Combined Cycle Power Plant. ​ We firmly believe that the narratives showcased in the 'AIIB Observer' will serve as a potent instrument in furthering our advocacy efforts against the adverse consequences wrought by AIIB-funded initiatives. Start Reading NEW PUBLICATION OUT! The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a major financial institution in the Asia-Pacific region headquartered in the Philippines, with Japan and the USA as its main shareholders. The bank recognizes the severity of climate change consequences in Asia and advocates for transitioning to clean energy to combat it. ​ ADB is set to present itself as a regional climate bank at its 2024 annual meeting, showcasing the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM), aimed at phasing out coal-fired power plants in Asia. However, criticism arises, suggesting that the ETM might actually benefit fossil fuel companies and fail to address the root issues. ​ Several coal phase-out mechanisms, including ADB's ETM, are in draft stages, with Southeast Asia being a key focus. However, civil society organizations express concerns about the lack of preventive measures in the ETM and its potential to reward environmentally harmful companies. Criticism extends to ADB's past investments in coal-fired power plants, despite claims of transitioning away from fossil fuels. The bank's revised energy policy still allows support for fossil fuel-related projects, creating inconsistency and undermining its stated goals. ​ The paper calls for ADB to exclude financing for the coal industry, prioritize renewable energy, and adhere to the "polluters pay" principle by covering the damage caused. Start Reading Read Read Read

PAKISTAN BANGLADESH INDIA INDONESIA PHILIPPINES বাংলাদেশ বাংলাদেশ সূত্র: বাংলাদেশ: কোভিড-১৯ অ্যাক্টিভ রেসপন্স অ্যান্ড এক্সপেন্ডিচার সাপোর্ট প্রোগ্রাম LATEST NEWS UPDATES 22 December 2022 Pakistan, ADB sign agreements worth $1.5bn for various projects ​ 19 October 2021 Pakistan in deep economic crisis, needs $51.6 billion external financing over two year period ​ 6 August 2021 ADB approves $500m loan to help Pakistan procure Covid-19 vaccines ​ 10 June 2021 ADB approves $500m emergency loan for Pakistan

PAKISTAN BANGLADESH INDIA INDONESIA PHILIPPINES বাংলাদেশ বাংলাদেশ সূত্র: বাংলাদেশ: কোভিড-১৯ অ্যাক্টিভ রেসপন্স অ্যান্ড এক্সপেন্ডিচার সাপোর্ট প্রোগ্রাম LATEST NEWS Read the latest COVID-19 Research produced by Freedom from Debt Coalition from the Philippines and NGO Forum on ADB. Download Download UPDATES 15 January 2022 PH foreign borrowings, grants vs COVID-19 hit P1.3T ​ 22 December 2021 Philippines borrows at least P32.6 billion for COVID-19 booster, kids’ shots ​ 19 November 2021 ADB approves $600-million loan for Philippines’ universal health care ​ 29 April 2021 Govt to get $3.9-B loans from Asian Development Bank ​ 23 March 2021 What you need to know about Duterte’s COVID-19 loans WEBINAR SERIES: PHILIPPINES Dr. Rene Ofreneo from Freedom from Debt Coalition discussed the government’s response to the Covid pandemic – a long-running quarantine program and a “four-pillar socio-economic strategy”. He later zeroed in on what is happening in the health and economic sectors and the situation of the citizenry, with a special focus on the situation of the Filipino working population and the country’s progress in containing the virus spread and in promoting resilient economic recovery.

CASES COMMUNICATION WITH AIIB EVENTS SUGGESTED READINGS FAQ STATEMENTS LETTERS Re: Virtual Consultations Hosted by AIIB on the Energy Sector Strategy Update To: Mr. Jin Liqun, President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Mr. Ludger Schuknecht, V.P. and Corporate Secretary, AIIB Sir Danny Alexander, V.P., Policy and Strategy, AIIB Mr. Bob Pickard, D.G., Communications Department, AIIB AIIB Board of Directors – Via Email – Over the course of last week’s virtual consultations hosted by the AIIB on the Energy Sector Strategy Update, we hoped to join and engage in discussions in good faith. However, while we appreciate this gesture from the Bank towards expanding the process for public input on the Strategy Update, several key concerns – despite being raised consistently in writing and during online discussions – have yet to be addressed. As a result, following a collective deliberation, we are writing once again to highlight key issues of contention. With all due respect, we firmly reiterate our shared perspective that the consultation sessions as scheduled do not provide an opportunity for meaningful and inclusive dialogue between diverse sectors of civil society across the institution’s membership and the responsible Bank representatives – necessary not least because of the major implications on the future possibilities for just transition and the livelihood prospects of populations across borrowing nations of the Bank’s membership as well as meeting global climate ambitions. ​ READ MORE FORUM'S LATEST LETTERS SENT TO AIIB ​ Re: AIIB’s Virtual Consultation Sessions on the Energy Sector Strategy Update AIIB’s Extended Deadline for Public Input on the Energy Sector Strategy Update AIIB response regarding the Extended Deadline for Public Input on the AIIB Energy Sector Strategy Collective Statement For the Energy Sector Strategy Update Re: AIIB’s Call for Public Input on the Energy Sector Strategy Update AIIB's Response: 'AIIB’s Call for Public Input on the Energy Sector Strategy Update' Follow Up Correspondence Concerning the 2022 Energy Sector Strategy Update AIIB response to NGO Forum on ADB network’s letter regarding Energy Strategy update (AIIB's response to the two letters sent by NGO Forum on ADB network; Follow Up Correspondence Concerning the 2022 Energy Sector Strategy Update and Collective Call for a New Forward Looking AIIB Energy Sector Strategy ​

প্রজেক্ট মনিটরিং Latest News Sign the 1M Petition ADB Project Tracker Media NGO Forum on ADB questions ADB’s intent to shift towards using country safeguards systems without any ‘assessment’ and ‘equivalency’ with its own safeguards systems as presented by the Strategy and Policy Department of the ADB. This alarming move towards using country systems prematurely will have disastrous impacts on local communities and the environment especially in autocratic regimes where civil society voice is suppressed and persecuted, and national instruments are riddled with corruption and weak implementation. ADB in doing so will also be in violation of its own ADB Safeguards Policy Strategy SPS 2010, where it clearly indicates ‘equivalency’ and ‘assessment’ to be conducted for Country Systems with ADB standards before they are considered for use in any ADB project. In ADB’s own study on Country Systems in 2015, it indicates that in six upper-middle-income countries UMICs, the use of country systems are not feasible as they are far from ADB SPS 2010 standards. The ADB is faced to provide competitive lending rates with the rise of new banks and abruptly moving towards using Country Systems is a way by which the Bank is trying to reduce loan approval times and “costs” by compromising due diligence requirements which put human rights, public safety, environmental sustainability and national economies at risk. ​ Read the Strategy 2030 related documents below : 21 Aug 2018 | Pillars for the Future of Development Finance in Asia 08 May 2018 | Joint Submission of Comments on ADB’s Draft Strategy 2030 02 Feb 2017 | ADB Strat 2030 Letter 29 Mar 2017 | ADB response to letter regarding ADB's new corporate strategy 30 Jun 2016 | ADB criticized for holding questionable consultations on its new corporate strategy এশিয়ান ডেভেলপমেন্ট ব্যাংক (এডিবি) Project Monitoring Energy Campaign Safeguards Public Information Policy Accountability Mechanism Strategy 2030

প্রজেক্ট মনিটরিং Latest News Sign the 1M Petition ADB Project Tracker Media NGO Forum on ADB Comments: Safeguard Compliance and Accountability Mechanism Framework for Investments Supported by Financial Intermediaries In Forum’s experience, there are several fundamental problems in ensuring FI Accountability to Safeguards – Project cycle bound timely release of project information in a meaningful manner for local peoples FIs need to ensure that environmental and social due diligence is implemented at the highest standards by their clients On issues of non-compliance, an independent and responsive redress mechanism has to be in place to ensure remedy for affected peoples. Keeping these three principles in mind the following comments have been made to the AMF- In the introductory section of the AMF, the lack of implementation of Equator Principles has been cited as a clear gap in FI accountability. We would recommend that the shift from guidelines for FIs to binding requirements should be emphasized in this section to strengthen the conceptual framework for this AMF. In line with comments from Accountability Counsel, we re-echo the need for learning to be upfront in this document for the AMF (Section 12, pg 4). For the AMF to work effectively it has to be able to learn from each case and make the necessary reforms to strengthen implementation. The issue of lessons learned and feedback loops built into the AMF system to help reform the structure will be critical to bringing diverse types of FI’s to compliance. On the issue of FI Sub-project categorization (pg.8) there is a need to ensure that a comprehensive ESIA is conducted to ensure the ‘Big B’ Category projects are deemed Category A. This is a potential risk especially for Infrastructure Funds, examples can be drawn from the Emerging Asia Fund of the AIIB and IFC, which has been tapped by Summit Power Group to retrofit several coal plants and build 4 new power generation facilities, which are fossil fuel based. The impacts from these projects will be long term and immediate and will require comprehensive ESIAs to ensure Safeguards are implemented. FIs and there parent funding institutions such as commercial banks and multilateral banks should have a strict monitoring role over their clients on environmental and social due diligence. The current practice of client-led safeguarding and self- reporting is no longer a viable model to ensure that AMF objectives are reached, thus we strongly recommend that monitoring and evaluation roles by FIs and their parent financial institutional investors should have an overseeing function. This is maybe done through further elaborating on a governance framework for FIs and their FI Clients, with detailed monitoring requirements in place. We are noticing for both ADB and AIIB projects that the Grievance Redress Mechanisms are often not effective at the local level. For MDBs it has been a real challenge to ensure that local GRMs have worked effectively; this will be a bigger challenge for an FI client to ensure. In this case, we recommend that project level GRMs should be – Meaningfully accessible for local communities Ensure complainants protection from backlash and retaliation Ensure remedial response The paper recognizes the shortcomings of GRMs - "However, GRMs are often poorly designed or implemented, and thus create mistrust and conflict between communities and the project executing agency. Finally, it must be noted that project-level GRM is not a substitute for an accountability mechanism at the institutional (financial intermediary) level, because the GRM cannot determine whether the financial intermediary has complied with its own environmental and social policies, standards, and procedures." Thus it has to be explicitly stated that accessing local GRMs should not be made a pre- requisite for local communities to trigger the Accountability Mechanism for an FI project. As mentioned earlier the fundamental problem with FI non-compliance to Safeguards is the lack of Time Bound Disclosure of project information to local people. At present local communities have no way of assessing whether FI subprojects are indeed FIs and what policies and mechanisms are entailed in their operations. From a community perspective, the following information has to be provided pre-project approval – Area and scale of the project Clear description of project cycle, construction, environmental and social impacts Clear assessment of project benefits sharing, compensations and allocations Clear understanding on rights, privileges and redress mechanisms for communities in cases of violations. All of language needs and ensuring that poor and vulnerable groups such as women, children and people with disabilities are made aware of all project related information. This is where the governance structure of this AMF will prove to be critical to ensure that Clients are complying with the disclosure needs at the local level. Provisions should also be made upstream in the project cycle to ensure that information disclosure needs are all met before a project is approved for implementation. The Forum re-echos Accountability Counsels recommendation on following the best practice example from the Green Climate Fund - which works with FIs, or accredited entities – The GCF has adopted a high degree of disclosure in line with international best practice, including time-bound disclosure of crucial project information – such as environmental and social impact assessments – ahead of approval. The degree and timing of disclosure are calibrated according to the risk profile of the investment: with more and better disclosure for the highest risk (Category A). The following excerpts from its 2016 Information Disclosure Policy describe the degree of disclosure: “Environmental and social reports. With respect to the project and program funding proposals that have an environmental or social impact, the Accredited Entities (AE’s) shall disclose and announce to the public and, via the Secretariat, to the Board and Active Observers: in case of Category A projects, the Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment (ESIA) and an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) at least 120 days in advance of the AE’s or GCF’s Board decision, whichever is earlier; in the case of Category I-1 programs, the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)2 at least 120 days in advance of the AE’s or GCF’s Board decision, whichever is earlier; in the case of Category B projects, the ESIA3 and an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)4 at least 30 days in advance of the AE’s or GCF’s Board decision, whichever is earlier; and in the case of Category I-2 programs, the ESMS at least 30 days in advance of the AE’s or GCF’s Board decision, whichever is earlier.” The Forum recognizes the independence embedded in the structure proposed in this AMF and would make the following recommendations on the mechanism proposed- In the submission of a complaint, there should be a provision for complaints to be filed by international and regional representatives as authorized representatives for local and in-country representatives who are unable to step forward due to security risk and conflict scenarios. In cases where the IRM has proved that there have been issues on non-compliance, then all consultations between the client and the community MUST have the IRM present to ensure power equity in information exchange. This has to be an integral part of ensuring that a complaint process and remedial action are done objectively. In it’s entirety this AMF is an innovative and needed effort in holding FIs accountable. এশিয়ান ডেভেলপমেন্ট ব্যাংক (এডিবি) Project Monitoring Energy Campaign Safeguards Public Information Policy Accountability Mechanism Strategy 2030

প্রজেক্ট মনিটরিং Latest News Sign the 1M Petition Related Documents Backgrounder ADB Project Tracker COVID19 Loan Tracker The Safeguard Policies of the Asian Development Bank require the Bank to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts that may result from development projects. The Safeguard Policies apply to all ADB projects, whether it is a private sector or project loan. The ADB has three safeguard policies: Country Safeguards System Involuntary Resettlement Policy (1995) Indigenous Peoples Policy (1998) Environment Policy (2002) Involuntary Resettlement Policy The main objective of the Involuntary Resettlement Policy is to ensure that those affected by development projects receive rehabilitation assistance to achieve at least the same level of well-being with the project as without it. ​ The policy binds the ADB to several resettlement principles. They are to avoid involuntary resettlement where possible; to minimize involuntary resettlement where population displacement is unavoidable; and ensure that displaced/affected people receive adequate assistance to restore their living conditions to at least the ‘pre-project’ level. ​ The policy indicates that for developing member countries (DMCs) to comply with the Policy fundamental structural changes in national land acquisition laws and payments of compensation for development-induced displacement. Indigenous Peoples Policy The Indigenous Peoples Policy applies regardless of whether DMCs have a pre-existing policy framework for indigenous peoples or ethnic minorities. The Indigenous Peoples Policy seeks to address the vulnerability and disadvantage indigenous peoples may experience in ADB projects. ​ It states that the ADB should engage directly with indigenous people. Projects should be planned and implemented with the informed consent of affected communities. Environment Policy The Environment Policy states that negative environmental impacts of ADB projects should be evaluated and minimized. The public should be involved in the evaluation of environmental impacts. Environmental impact assessments should be conducted and disclosed to the general public. ​ The Environmental Policy contains five broad statements: Environmental intervention as a pre-requisite for poverty reduction; Mainstreaming environmental considerations in economic growth; Encouraging regional cooperation to address critical environmental issues; Building partnerships with other stakeholders around ‘specific’ environmental themes in DMCs; and Project safeguards. এশিয়ান ডেভেলপমেন্ট ব্যাংক (এডিবি) Project Monitoring Energy Campaign Safeguards Public Information Policy Accountability Mechanism Strategy 2030