Catalog

NGOs Discuss Mekong’s Future

By Barend Frielink ( bfrielink@adb.org )
Senior Programs Officer, Mekong Department

OUR MEKONG--Civil society representatives discussed with ADB their concerns and expectations

In conjunction with the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, the nongovernment organization (NGO) community organized a 5-day “My Mekong Forum and Fair.” Seventy-five community leaders and representatives of local and international NGOs attended the event, which focused on local communities’ visions for development in the context of GMS programs for economic integration, and development projects directly affecting the Mekong River.

ADB was invited to join the forum discussions on the third day. A separate session was organized for civil society representatives to dialog with Rajat Nag, Director General of ADB’s Mekong Department. The fair consisted of photographs and paintings depicting the views and feelings of communities about their Mekong River.

Community leaders and NGO representatives expressed concerns that their views were sometimes not sufficiently taken into account in developing GMS projects—especially the larger ones, such as upstream activities affecting downstream communities, hydropower schemes, and economic corridors. They urged ADB to include local communities in the decision-making process on these types of projects. They also requested ADB to be more proactive in assisting communities in dealing with compensation issues.

In his discussions with the NGOs, Mr. Nag emphasized ADB’s rights-based approach, meaning that people should not be worse off as a result of development projects, and they have the right to be compensated for any adverse impact.

“We do our best to mitigate any negative impact that may occur as a result of an ADB-financed project,” Mr. Nag said during the session.

The discussions were generally seen as being very fruitful by both sides—and an important step forward for ensuring that NGOs’ concerns about development projects are addressed early in the program or project cycle.

ADB-NGO consultations also took place earlier in 2002 in Shanghai and Phnom Penh.

Email this to a friend