Accountability undermined with the new World Bank proposals

In a collective NGO statement, the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Accountability Counsel and Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) raise concerns about the impact of the proposed safeguards on the Bank’s accountability for its investments, with particular focus on ESS10 on consultation and stakeholder engagement.

Dear Safeguards Team,

We, the undersigned organizations, provide the following comments on the first draft of World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (the “Framework”), and in particular on Environmental and Social Standard 10 regarding Information Disclosure and Stakeholder Engagement (ESS10).

Many of our organizations have provided technical and legal support to communities harmed by Bank projects and have invested much time and resources to increase accountability at the Bank, including through policy reforms of the Bank’s independent accountability mechanism, the Inspection Panel. We appreciate the opportunity to provide recommendations and do so with the expectation that our comments will be taken into account to increase accountability to communities harmed by Bank projects and programs.

Click here to read the rest of the letter.