Indigenous Peoples Policy Revision
Summary
The World Bank's current policy on Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20) has been in effect since 1992. The main stated objectives of the policy are "to insure that World Bank-financed development projects do not cause adverse impacts upon indigenous peoples, and that they provide them with culturally compatible social and economic benefits."
The World Bank is in the final stages of revising this policy, a process that began in 1998. Some observers suggest that the draft revised policy-renamed Operational Policy 4.10 and released to the public electronically in July 2001-is considerably weaker than the existing directive in important areas. Indigenous leaders, with the assistance of the Bank Information Center and other support organizations, have forced the Bank to delay finalizing the policy, to broaden consultations, and to reexamine key provisions. A series of high level meetings were held between indigenous leaders and the bank, including an unprecedented roundtable meeting between indigenous leaders and upper management, and a briefing for Executive Directors on free, prior and informed consent. In December 2004, the Bank presented a final draft for a ninety day public review period before the policy goes to the Board of Directors for approval, in response to demands by indigenous leaders. Any further comments from outside stake holders will be summarized by Bank staff and presented to the Board along with the proposed policy. The Board of Directors is expected to approve the Policy in March 2005. The revised policy is much improved over the earlier drafts, but there is still concern over some key issues.