Safeguards

External Consultations
Updated: 4 July 2008

Second draft of Safeguard Policy Statement – Workshop to be held at ADB headquarters in Manila

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 to prepare a second draft of the safeguard policy statement, based on the feedback and advice received through extensive consultations. In addition, ADB will hold another consultation workshop in Manila for stakeholders to have an opportunity to review the revised documents. This consultation workshop will be held a minimum of 30 days after the second draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement is made publicly available. ADB anticipates the second draft will be posted in the 3rd quarter of 2008. For further details please refer to Updated Consultation Plan for the Preparation of Safeguard Policy Statement [ PDF: 37kb | 4 pages ].

Consultation Workshops on the Consultation Draft of Safeguard Policy Statement

From November 2007 until April 2008, ADB engaged extensively with important stakeholders, organizing fourteen workshops including ten country/ subregional consultation workshops for ADBs developing member countries and four consultation workshops with its developed member countries in North America, Europe and Japan. These workshops formed a core part of the consultation process, providing an open forum that helped build a shared understanding of key safeguard policies, principles and requirements among the participants. A total of 415 people participated, 45% representing Government, 34% Civil Society Organizations, 6% academe, 7% development agencies and 8% private sector. Consultation reports from each workshop have been posted on SPU website. Through these workshops and submitted written comments, primarily from civil society organisations (CSOs), ADB has received widespread feedback and detailed suggestions.

Ongoing Consultations

ADB will continue to engage with external stakeholders on SPU through informal meetings, teleconferences, and other interactions with stakeholders, such as the NGO Forum on ADB. Mission travels will continue to maximize discussions on the Safeguard Policy Update, and opportunities to obtain feedback and clarify perceptions. Dialogues with relevant multilateral and bilateral partners and other international and regional organizations continue to be carried out, such as meetings with multilateral financial institutions (MFI) Environment Working Group.

Electronic and Mail Consultations

ADB welcomes written comments submitted through the SPU website and via email safeguards_update@adb.org.