ADB Consults Indonesia on Safeguard Policy Update
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will hold consultations this week with government officials and civil society groups in Indonesia to get feedback on proposed updates to its safeguard policies – the latest in a string of similar workshops across Asia. ADB’s safeguard policies require that projects it finances 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 is doing the update in order to integrate three existing policies into one and allow it to adopt a more holistic approach to ensuring that affected people, communities, and the environment are fully protected. The consultative process gives stakeholders a chance to review and comment on the key features of the update, including efforts to harmonize safeguard requirements with other multilateral financial institutions. “The objective of the safeguard policy update is to enhance the effectiveness of ADB’s safeguard policies, and ensure that these policies remain relevant to changing client needs and to new business opportunities,” said Nessim Ahmad, Director, ADB Environment and Social Safeguards Division. 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. “ADB has no intention of weakening the objectives and principles of the existing safeguard policies, and instead many aspects have been enhanced such as the requirement for grievance redress mechanisms, stronger consultation, and attention to project implementation” Mr. Ahmad said. “The workshops so far have been lively, fruitful, and constructive. We encourage all groups to engage actively in the consultation process so that their voices can be heard.” The meetings will be held in Jakarta 12-13 February, and will include representatives from government, non-government organizations, academia, and the private sector from across Indonesia. Multilateral financial institutions and other development agencies are also expected to participate. The consultation draft, which has been translated into Indonesian, was posted on ADB's Web site in October last year for comments until 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. About ADB | 
News and Events 
Top of page
