Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO)

CAO at the #WBGMeetings 2024! 🌎🌍 👉CAO participated in several engagements during the 2024 World Bank Group – International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings, held this week in Washington, DC. The Annual Meetings provided a valuable platform to engage in discussions related to climate change and climate finance, the World Bank Group’s Evolution Roadmap, gender equality, education, and health. Throughout the week, CAO engaged with several stakeholders in topics specific to accountability. Our CAO colleagues Irum Ahsan, Head of Advisory, and Gabriela Stocks, Head of Compliance, participated in two panels. Irum participated in a discussion focused on IFC’s policy obligations to prevent its financing activities from contributing to climate change; while Gaby’s panel discussed the effectiveness of Management Actions Plans (MAPs) in delivering remedy for project-affected people. 👏 These panels were part of the Civil Society Policy Forum that took place alongside the Annual Meetings. These discussions are essential for sustainable development and enhancing accountability. ➕Learn more about our engagements here: https://lnkd.in/eCGSPvAG

Follow us throughout the WBG – IMF Annual Meetings 2024! During the World Bank Group–IMF 2024 Annual Meetings, CAO is participating in several Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) sessions: -Today, Tuesday October 22, 2:15 PM – 3:45 PM CSPF: IFC’s Obligations to Prevent its Financing Activities from Contributing to Climate Change Harms. LIVE SOON! : https://lnkd.in/gHivrS4H -Tomorrow, Wednesday October 23, 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM CSPF: The Last Mile: Ensuring Effective Implementation of Management Action Plans and Dispute Resolution Agreements. Live link: https://lnkd.in/gHivrS4H Check out the full CSPF agenda here: https://lnkd.in/gTFFMm7G The complete Annual Meetings agenda is available here: https://lnkd.in/g5Y_VG3X

Together for Conflict Resolution! To mark the anniversary of Conflict Resolution Day, we co-hosted an event in Washington, DC, bringing together independent accountability mechanisms (IAMs) and civil society organization (CSOs) to discuss opportunities for improved collaboration in dispute resolution processes. The event included interactive sessions and roundtable discussions focused on enhancing IAMs effectiveness in addressing project-related disputes and improving outcomes for affected communities. The event also included a photo and video exhibit showcasing dispute resolution processes of the five hosting independent mechanisms through powerful imagery. We thank the Accountability Mechanism of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM) of the EBRD, the Project-Affected People's Mechanism (PPM) of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Independent Accountability Mechanism of the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. (DFC) for co-hosting this event with us and other IAMs who attended the sessions. We also thank Accountability Counsel, Arab Watch Coalition, Bank Information Center, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), EKO Dvogled, Inclusive Development International, and the regional and local CSOs who joined us online.

Guinea Case Update: Parties in Guinea have reached agreement through a CAO-facilitated dispute resolution process to address resettlement concerns related to the Siguiri gold mine. The mine is operated by a subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti, an IFC sub-client of Nedbank. The agreement includes compensation for affected families and funding to enhance community's livelihoods and living standards. CAO is now monitoring effective implementation of the agreement. The parties have issued a joint statement, which is available here: https://lnkd.in/eQGfazQC

📌Day 1 of the 2024 IAMnet Annual Meetings It is exciting to be in Asia for the 21st Annual Meetings of the Independent Accountability Mechanisms network (IAMnet)! The Annual Meetings off to a great start with opening remarks given by President Masatsugu Asakawa of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “As we look to the future, it is essential that our Independent Accountability Mechanisms align with new realities,” he told the more than 60 participants who gathered at ADB’s headquarters in Manila for the Annual Meetings. “This meeting will play a crucial role in modernizing these policies and aligning them with global best practices. Harmonizing our approaches will also be vital, especially as we increase co-financing.” “At the core of our operations are project-affected people,” said President Asakawa. “They are our ultimate beneficiaries, and it is imperative that our projects do not harm those we seek to help. When harm does occur, we must act swiftly to address it and find effective solutions.” #IAMnet, which includes 23 IAMs linked to development finance institutions, meets annually to exchange ideas and best practices. This year, a full day will focus on an agenda planned by civil society organizations. A huge thank you to the Asian Development Bank’s Accountability Mechanism and the Independent Redress Mechanism, Green Climate Fund for hosting this year’s meetings. The World Bank Accountability Mechanism, as the Secretariat of IAMnet, is pleased to have coordinated the Annual Meetings. Looking forward to the days ahead! #IAMnet #partnership #AnnualMeetings

Day 1: 2024 IAMnet Annual Meetings It's been very busy since we got to the Annual Meetings in Manila 🇵🇭! Among many other thought-provoking sessions, Day 1 featured a wide-ranging discussion on the role of dispute resolution in achieving remedy for communities affected by development projects. Participants discussed the pros and cons of the varying approaches adopted by IAMs in implementing mediation processes and monitoring when agreements are reached. A strong argument was made for the need to align the incentives of the parties in dispute resolution. Scott Adams Nokukhanya Nox Ntuli Paco Gimenez-Salinas Martin Packmann   #disputeresolution #mediation #accountability #IAMs #IAMnet

Case Update in Uzbekistan: We have completed the assessment of a case concerning impacts on biodiversity and inadequate due diligence in Zarafshan, Uzbekistan. During the assessment, the parties agreed to proceed with a dispute resolution process, and the case will be transferred to CAO’s dispute resolution function. CAO’s Assessment Report is available here: https://lnkd.in/ez54KhrA

The parties involved in a CAO dispute resolution process concerning labor issues at a hydropower project on the Jhelum River in Pakistan were unable to reach an agreement and the case is now under appraisal. Between October 2023 and February 2024, the complainants and the company engaged in multiple joint sessions and bilateral meetings to address the concerns raised in the complaint. However, by May 2024, the dispute resolution process concluded without a resolution, and the case was transferred to the CAO’s compliance function for appraisal. Learn more about the case here: https://lnkd.in/eKjVbGeT

Nigeria Case Update: We have completed the compliance appraisal for a labor-related case in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and have decided not to proceed with a CAO investigation. Although we identified preliminary indications of actual or potential harm, we did not find any preliminary indications of non-compliance with IFC E&S policies. The case is now closed. Find CAO’s Appraisal Report here: https://lnkd.in/eDWFT_97

We have closed a case related to the construction of a transmission line in Cameroon. After CAO’s Assessment, a detailed analysis concluded that the project did not meet our eligibility criteria, as it is not related to an active IFC/MIGA project. Find CAO’s Assessment and Conclusion Report here: https://lnkd.in/eGQTa7XT