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ADB Consults Mekong on Safeguard Policy Update

HANOI, VIET NAM (5 March 2008) - Representatives from Government, civil society, academe, development agencies and the private sector are taking part in consultations in Ha Noi this week to give feedback on a proposed update of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) environmental and social safeguard policies.

The meeting marks the ninth round of consultations in the Asia and Pacific Region on the proposed safeguards, which are a set of protection measures that require that ADB-financed projects avoid harm to people and the environment, and if avoidance is not possible then minimize, mitigate and or compensate for adverse impacts of these projects.

ADB currently has three existing safeguard policies and they are being updated to integrate them into one consolidated safeguard statement and to enhance their relevance and strengthen their effectiveness.

Comments from those participating in the Ha Noi meeting, which includes representatives from across the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, will be used to help revise the new protection measures before they are finalized.

"We are still in the early stages of updating our safeguard policies and we want to hear from all stakeholders," said Ms. Xiaoying Ma, ADB Senior Environment Specialist, who is leading the March 5-6 consultations.

Some NGOs during consultations in other parts of Asia have expressed concern that the update may lead to ADB’s already stringent safeguards being made less effective.

"We have no intention of weakening the safeguards. We believe the proposed new safeguards emphasize clear, robust, results-orientated policy principles in order to better protect people, communities and the environment that are impacted by development projects financed by ADB."

The consultation draft was posted on ADB's Web site for comments until 1 April 2008. After the consultations, a draft policy will be prepared and made available for additional comments. For more information, visit http://www.adb.org/Safeguards/about.asp

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members - 48 from the region. In 2007, it approved $10.1 billion of loans, $673 million of grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to $243 million.

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