About the Safeguard Policy Update
Updated: 14 November 2008
In 2005 the Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiated a Safeguard Policy Update. The objective of the SPU is to improve the relevance of safeguards and strengthen their effectiveness. ADB has three safeguard policies:
The update will:
- articulate ADB's safeguard requirements to improve their clarity, coherence, and consistency
- balance a front-loaded procedural approach with one focused more on results during implementation
- make policy implementation more adaptable in practice to match an evolving range of ADB's lending products and innovative financing schemes
- work toward greater harmonization with safeguard practices across multilateral finance institutions and tailor safeguard approaches to different clients with different capacities
- improve internal processes and resource allocation
Subsequent to a Discussion Note in 2005 , which summarized the key issues for the SPU, a consultation draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement was posted on ADB's website on 12 October 2007 until 30 April 2008 for comment. From November 2007 until April 2008, ADB engaged extensively with stakeholders, organizing fourteen workshops worldwide. Through these workshops and submitted written comments, ADB has received widespread feedback and detailed suggestions.
In order for the new safeguard policy to be responsive to a wide range of views, ADB Management has decided to introduce an additional step and prepare a second draft of the safeguard policy statement. In addition, ADB will hold another consultation workshop in Manila 18-21 November 2008, for stakeholders to have an opportunity to review the revised documents.
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Comment Period |
Remarks |
| Key documents for comment |
Second Draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement
Attachment 1 & 2
Glossary |
3 October 2008 - 4 December 2008 |
This is the most recent draft of the policy that is available for comment. This document will be the subject for the Consultation Workshop held in November 2008. |
| Comments-Response Matrix |
Not applicable |
This matrix reflects comments received on the consultation draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement during fourteen country/subregional consultations and written comments received during the comment period of 12 October - 30 April 2008 |
Draft Safeguard Review Procedures
(Preliminary Draft Operations Manual Section)
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24 October 2008 – 4 December 2008 |
This document outlines the process through which ADB staff will deliver ADB's commitments to ensure the social and environmental sustainability of the projects it supports. This is a preliminary draft document, and is available for comment until 4 December 2008. This document will be further developed during the preparation of the draft policy paper (W-paper) and finalized for the final policy document (R-paper). |
Provisional Agenda for Indigenous Peoples Consultation Workshop
Participants list - updated 14 November 2008 |
8 November 2008 - 12 November 2008 |
This is a draft agenda for the Indigenous Peoples workshop scheduled for 18 November 2008. |
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Provisional Agenda for Multistakeholder Consultation Workshop
Participants list - updated 14 November 2008 |
3 October 2008 - 17 October 2008 |
This provisional agenda for the multistakeholder Consultation Workshop scheduled for Wednesday 19 November and Thursday 20 November 2008.
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Draft Provisional Agenda ½ day Post Consultation Dialogue - participation in this ½ day is optional for multistakeholders
Participants list – updated 14 November 2008 |
Coming soon |
The NGO Forum on ADB, a coalition of civil society groups that monitors ADB operations, has requested an additional ½ day to further discuss the second draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement. This event will be hosted by ADB at ADB headquarters in Manila, Friday morning, 21 November 2008. |
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