ADB Safeguard Policy Review and Update: Phase 2 Regional Consultations

20-24 February 2023

The regional consultations on Different Financing Modalities will discuss the lessons learned from the challenges and good practices in the application of safeguard requirements for different types of financing modalities projects supported by ADB and partners.

The 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement applies to all ADB-financed and ADB-administered sovereign or non-sovereign projects, regardless of the source and means of financing. The ADB also has guidelines for different financing modalities and allow some flexibility in the adoption of safeguard requirements, such as the use of frameworks for emergency assistance projects, arrangements for establishing the environmental and social management system prior to the first disbursement for projects channelled through financial intermediaries, and a few others. In the 2014 operational review by the Independent Evaluation Department, it concluded that while a proper system for avoiding or mitigating the environmental and social risks of ADB supported projects is in place, there were noted gaps in safeguard due diligence and reporting in projects or investments using some fund instruments.

Feedback received during the consultations will feed into recommendations for ensuring adequate safeguard standards in different financing modalities.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Safeguard Implementation Issues on the Different Financing Modalities (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe and Registration

20 February 2023, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia
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21 February 2023, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia
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22 February 2023, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia
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23 February 2023, 9:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 8:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT -5) / 2:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe
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24 February 2023, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia
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12-13 December

Civil society partners are encouraged to present their perspectives on how ADB implements environmental and social safeguards in private sector operations (investment projects, funds channelled through financial intermediaries and corporations, equities, and guarantees), and propose recommendations to further strengthen the SPS.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Private Sector Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe and Registration

12 December 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

13 December 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

13 December 2022, 9:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –4) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +2)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

6-7 June

This consultation will share preliminary findings from a benchmarking study on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) which compares ADB's current policy environment and practices on the topic to those of other multilateral financial institutions.

The session will seek feedback from stakeholders to help ADB understand where there are gaps and convergences in this area, and where it needs to go further in meeting evolving safeguards needs. The views and opinions received during the consultations will inform appropriate entry-points for SOGIESC and safeguards and linkages to safeguards needs of other potentially vulnerable groups.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Remarks (5 minutes)
• Findings from Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe and Registration

6 June 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

7 June 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

7 June 2022, 9:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –4) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +2)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

17, 19-20 May

ADB’s Strategy 2030’s Operational Plan 31 sets the course for responding to the region’s changing needs. Recently, ADB management determined Climate Change as a high priority area, and has committed to fully align all ADB operations with the Paris Agreement. The consultations will cover a review of ADB’s approach in managing project-level climate change risks, based on the practice and experience of other multilateral financial institutions, and on feedback from stakeholders on policy interpretation and implementation.

The objective of these consultations is to obtain a better understanding of the views of stakeholders on implementation challenges, good practices, and determine practical recommendations for possible integration of climate change issues and risks into ADB’s safeguard policy review discussions.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Climate Change Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe and Registration

17 May 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12) 
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

17 May 2022, 9:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –4) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +2)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

19 May 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

19 May 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

20 May 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

24, 26-27 May

ADB’s Strategy 2030’s operational plan for priority two on accelerating gender equality makes specific reference to strengthening gender elements in social safeguards and core labor standards, as well as addressing risks of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) in ADB-financed projects.  These consultations aim to share preliminary findings from a benchmarking study on Gender and Safeguards which looked at how comparator multilateral financial institutions (MFIs) are addressing gender issues in their respective safeguard frameworks.

Stakeholders are encouraged to share their insights and experiences to help ADB understand where there are potential gaps and convergences in this area, and where it needs to go further in meeting evolving safeguards needs. Feedback received during the consultations will further inform recommendations of the analytical study on gender and safeguards and linkages to the intersectional safeguards needs of women within other potentially vulnerable groups.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Remarks (5 minutes)
• Findings from Gender and Safeguards Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe and Registration

24 May 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

24 May 2022, 9:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –4) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +2)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

26 May 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

27 May 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

27 May 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

30-31 May

This consultation will solicit feedback on preliminary findings from a benchmarking study on Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) which compares ADB's current policy practices on the topic to those of other multilateral financial institutions (MFIs).

This is to help ADB understand where there are gaps and convergences, and where it needs to go further in meeting evolving safeguards needs in this area. The views and opinions received during the consultations will inform appropriate entry-points for SEAH and safeguards and linkages to safeguards needs of other potentially vulnerable groups.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Remarks (5 minutes)
• Findings from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe and Registration

30 May 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

31 May 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

31 May 2022, 9:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –4) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +2)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

4-6 April

This consultation on Country Safeguard Systems will present and discuss the issues relevant to applying and use of DMC’s own environmental and social safeguard policies in ADB-financed projects. It will look at various stakeholder recommendations on striking a balance between practical approaches to conducting equivalency assessments and designing strategies to allow DMCs to raise their own environmental and social frameworks and capacities which would subsequently allow them to apply for the full use of country systems in projects.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on the Country Safeguard Systems Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

4 April 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

4 April 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

5 April 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

5 April 2022, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 10:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –4) / 4:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +2)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

6 April 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

21-23 March

ADB is considering adopting an integrated impact and risk assessment approach in projects as an overarching standard in its new policy. Participants are encouraged to share experiences and expertise on the advantages and disadvantages of an integrated approach to impact assessment and at the same time look at practical ways in screening projects to identify not only project impacts but also contextual and institutional risks in projects. Discussions will also cover climate change and vulnerability risks. Recommendations from the consultations will input into the analytical study on the same topic.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Environmental and Social Impacts and Risk Assessment Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

21 March 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

21 March 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

22 March 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

22 March 2022, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 10:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –4) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

23 March 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

29, 31 March

The consultations build on important discussions around providing context-sensitive, or tailored, approaches that define ADB’s FCAS and SIDS Approach (FSA) (2021). The FSA was partly developed through consultations with stakeholders, including on safeguards compliance.

Consultations with FCAS and SIDS developing member countries (DMCs) will continue to guide the Safeguard Policy Review and Update process as ADB seeks to tailor safeguard approaches to the unique circumstances of these countries and remain fluid and adaptable in meeting their needs. Consultations will help identify DMCs' contextual constraints, such as weak governance or limited institutional capacity, that might affect their ability to comply with safeguards. These limitations can delay projects, creating higher transaction costs and delaying the delivery of intended project benefits.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Presentation on the Analytical study on Safeguards in FCAS and SIDS (25 minutes)
• Moderated Discussion (75 minutes)
• Event Evaluation and Wrap-up (10 minutes)

Timeframe

29 March 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in the Pacific

31 March 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in the Pacific

24-25, 28 February & 1 March 2022

The consultations will take stock of past project complaints that affected people have raised through ADB’s accountability bodies. Concerns may range from policy implementation challenges around involuntary resettlement, stakeholder engagement, environmental and social impact assessments, and mitigation measures, among others. The consultations will also build on the 2019 learning report prepared by ADB’s Office of Special Project Facilitator, the Office of the Compliance Review Panel, the Independent Evaluation Department, and the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Accountability Mechanism in ADB (15 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

24 February 2022, 5:00 p.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m. Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m. India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation on Lessons from Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

25 February 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

25 February 2022, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

28 February 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations in South Asia and Central and West Asia

1 March 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

10-11 January

This consultation will solicit feedback on the application of the current Physical Cultural Resources safeguard requirement. ADB aims to consult with stakeholders on their experiences in preserving or protecting cultural heritage by avoiding or reducing impacts on moveable or immoveable items with archaeological or cultural significance, looking at practical options for mitigating impacts on both tangible and intangible resources, and identifying related challenges that can potentially be clarified and addressed as part of the policy review. Comments received during the consultations will inform the revision of the ADB’s standard on cultural heritage.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Cultural Heritage Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

10 January 2022, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

10 January 2022, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

11 January 2022, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

14, 17-18 January

This consultation will solicit feedback on the application of the current Stakeholder Engagement, Grievance Redress, and Information Disclosure (SEID) Standard, and share some preliminary findings from the benchmarking study which compares ADB's current SPS policy provisions and procedures on stakeholder engagement with those of other multilateral financial institutions. This is to understand where there are gaps and convergences, particularly comparing those with a stand-alone SEID policy standard, benchmarking key stakeholder engagement themes where ADB is aligned, and where it needs to go further to meet the safeguards needs of evolving different financing modalities. Views and opinions s received during the consultations will inform preparation of the ADB’s standard on SEID.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on the Stakeholder Engagement, Information Disclosure and Grievance Redress Mechanism Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

14 January 2022, 10:00 a.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m. Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

14 January 2022, 5:00 p.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m. Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m. India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

17 January 2022, 10:00 a.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m. Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

18 January 2022, 5:00 p.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m. Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m. India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

19 January 2022, 10:00 p.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m. Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m. Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

2-3 December

Among the current environmental safeguard requirements, the health and safety requirements are the most triggered in ADB-financed projects. The consultations will discuss the findings of a study comparing policy provisions and practice on community and occupational health and safety between ADB and other multilateral financial institutions (MFIs). Participants are encouraged to share their insights and experiences on implementation issues challenges (strengths and weaknesses in health and safety management at project level), and harmonization of ADB policy provisions/requirements with other MFI as well as those of the national regulatory requirements. Feedback received during the consultations will further inform recommendations of the analytical study on community and occupational health and safety.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on the Community and Occupational Health and Safety Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

2 December 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

2 December 2021, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

3 December 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

6-8 December

The consultations will solicit feedback on the application of the current Involuntary Resettlement (IR) safeguard, and share some preliminary findings from the benchmarking study comparing ADB’s IR requirements with those of other Multilateral Financing Institutions (mainly EBRD, IFC, and the World Bank). ADB will consult with stakeholders on their experience in managing resettlement and livelihood restoration processes in projects, and identify challenges that can potentially be clarified and addressed as part of the policy review. Comments received during the consultations will inform the revision of the ADB’s standard on land acquisition and resettlement.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on the Land Acquisition, Restriction of Access, and Involuntary Resettlement Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

6 December 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

7 December 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

7 December 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

8 December 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

8 December 2021, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

13-15 December

The consultations will compare the policy provisions and practice in biodiversity and habitats assessment definitions, and requirements of development projects between ADB and other multilateral financial institutions (MFIs). Participants are encouraged to share their insights on the potential gaps of the provisions and implementation of the policy, and propose recommendations and remedial actions to ensure the strengthening of the policy and positive outcomes towards “no net loss” or “no net gain” in biodiversity. Comments received from the consultations will be considered in the final report, and will inform the revision of ADB’s standard on biodiversity.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

13 December 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

13 December 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

14 December 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

14 December 2021, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

15 December 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

15-17 November

ADB is reviewing different policy architecture models as a basis for the preparation of the new policy. Participants are encouraged to read the draft Policy Architecture report which will inform the consultations. This consultation draft summarizes the findings of the study which: (i) reviews ADB’s current safeguard architecture; and (ii) undertakes a broad comparison of policy architecture models of peer multilateral financial institutions (MFIs). Comments received from the consultations will be considered in the final report, and will inform the revision of ADB’s Safeguard Policy architecture.

Agenda

• Introduction (5 minutes) Azim Manji
  Session Moderator and Stakeholder Engagement Team Leader
• Welcome Remarks (5 minutes)
  Bruno Carrasco, Director General, concurrently Chief Compliance Officer,
  Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC)
• Session 1: Overview of the Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) and Approach to Policy Update (15 minutes)
  Bruce Dunn, Director, Safeguards Division (SDSS), SDCC
• Session 2: Policy Architecture Study: Comparative Analysis of the SPS with the policies of other MFI policies (30 minutes)
  Zehra Abbas, Principal Environment Specialist, SDSS, SDCC
  Madhumita Gupta, Principal Social Development Specialist, SDSS, SDCC
• Screen Break (5 minutes)
• Session 3: Moderated Discussion on Policy Architecture (75 minutes)

Timeframe

15 November 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultations with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

15 November 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultations with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

16 November 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultations with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

17 November 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultations with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

17 November 2021, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultations with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

22-24 November

The consultations on Indigenous Peoples safeguard will focus on implementation challenges faced by stakeholders in the application of the SPS. Following an evaluation of the SPS by ADB’s Independent Evaluation Department, key areas that are being considered in the review of Indigenous Peoples safeguard include: (i) ADB’s approach to targeting and engaging with Indigenous Peoples in project identification and design; (ii) identification of Indigenous Peoples in project areas that will trigger ADB’s safeguard requirements; (iii) improving social impact assessments, (iv) adopting an integrated approach on safeguard risk assessment and finding interlinkages between safeguard for Indigenous Peoples with other safeguard areas/standards; and (v) adoption of free, prior and informed consent.

Agenda

• Introduction of participants and meeting reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on Indigenous Peoples Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

22 November 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultations with Government Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

22 November 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultations with Government Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

23 November 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultations with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

23 November 2021, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m., Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m., Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultations with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

24 November 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultations with Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

25-26 November, 1 December

This consultation will solicit feedback on the application of the current safeguard requirements relevant to pollution prevention and abatement and share some preliminary findings from the benchmarking study comparing ADB’s requirements with those of selected other MFIs (mainly EBRD, IDB, AIIB, AfDB, IFC, and the World Bank). Areas for discussion will focus on pollution prevention (air, water, noise and vibration) and resource efficiency, as well as waste and hazardous materials, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on the Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

25 November 2021, 10:00 a.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m. Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

26 November 2021, 5:00 p.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m. Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m. India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia

1 December 2021, 10:00 p.m. Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m. Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m. Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

29 November - 1 December

ADB is considering the inclusion of labor and working conditions as part of the new safeguard policy to consolidate the provisions in ADB’s Social Protection Strategy on core labor standards with safeguard practices. The inclusion will cover ADB policies and requirements to operationalize the core labor standards in ADB financed projects and programs covering the four areas: child labor, forced labor, freedom of association and collective bargaining, and discrimination in employment and occupation.

The consultations will present the findings of a study on labor and working conditions benchmarking, and seek feedback from stakeholders on any potential implementation concerns to be considered in the process of developing labor and working conditions as part of safeguard.

Agenda

• Introduction of Participants and Meeting Reminders (10 minutes)
• Welcome Message (5 minutes)
• Presentation on the Labor and Working Conditions Study (20 minutes)
• Open Forum / Q&A (75 minutes)
• Wrap up and Synthesis (10 minutes)

Timeframe

29 November 2021, 10:00 a.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Fiji (GMT +12)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in East Asia, Pacific, and Southeast Asia

29 November 2021, 10:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 9:00 a.m. Washington DC (GMT –5) / 3:00 p.m. Frankfurt (GMT +1)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in North America and Europe

1 December 2021, 5:00 p.m., Manila (GMT +8) / 2:00 p.m., Pakistan (GMT +5) / 2:30 p.m., India (GMT +5:30)
Consultation with Governments, Civil Society Organizations and other Non-Governmental Stakeholders in South Asia and Central and West Asia