BIC and Oxfam Australia call for halt in ADB safeguards consultations

6 February 2008 | Washington, DC

BIC and Oxfam Australia have closely followed the review of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Safeguards Policies since it was first announced in August 2005. Both organizations believe the dilution and weakening of the October 2007 Consultation Draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) contradicts assurances the ADB publicly made on several occasions, and both have stated that unless revised, the current consultation process is not worthy of further engagement.

In separate letters dated January 11 and 29 respectively, BIC and Oxfam Australia have informed the Asian Development Bank of their decision not to participate in the public consultations on the draft Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS).

BIC writes that while it "fully supports the ADB’s goal of strengthening its policy framework to 'promote the sustainability of project outcomes by protecting the environment and people from potential adverse impacts of projects'”, it believes the current draft fails to provide for this.

Both organizations contend they have engaged in good faith with the Safeguard Policy Update (SPU) and have spent a considerable amount of time and resources over the past two years working with the ADB staff responsible for the revisions and NGOs interested in ensuring that the ADB adopts acceptable standards.

However, in light of the substantial critique of the SPS already offered by non-governmental organizations, the two organizations call upon the ADB to halt its current consultation process and offer a revised draft that addresses key concerns. They make this call while pointing out that continuing consultation on the current flawed draft would be an inappropriate use of limited time and resources.

Both organizations conclude by suggesting that if the ADB takes this opportunity to be a leader in the development of safeguard systems and produces a consultation draft and process that accurately reflects international law and standards, they stand ready to engage in a meaningful process.

A response from the ADB to these letters is awaited.

BIC Communication on Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policy Update, Bank Information Center, January 11, 2008(Acrobat pdf, 128 KB)