Regional : Strengthening and Use of Country Safeguard Systems

Public sector management / Public administration - Reforms of state owned enterprises

Strengthened CSS in one or more of the following areas in each participating DMC:

Improved country legal and regulatory frameworks for environmental assessment and management, involuntary resettlement and/or Indigenous Peoples

Strengthened institutions and capacity of relevant government agencies, CSOs, and/or other stakeholder groups for effective implementation of laws and regulations

Enhanced state-owned or private sector companies' environmental and social management systems

Enhanced programs for public awareness and involvement in environmental and social assessment, planning, and implementation process

Improved mechanisms for information sharing and knowledge management and dissemination

Action plans developed and adopted for implementation by governments or private sector companies

Enhanced partnerships among development partners for long-term programs with funding sources available for CSS strengthening and effective implementation

1. Implement a series of country-and/or subregional-level subprojects

2. Knowledge management and dissemination

3. Cooperation among development agencies

Output 1: Implement a series of country-and/or subregional-level subprojects

Twenty-nine subprojects involving 25 DMCs were approved. Of the 29 subprojects, 26 involved individual DMCs while three covered multiple countries. Among the 26 subprojects involving individual DMCs, there were three for Central and West Asia, three for East Asia, four for the Pacific, five for South Asia, and 11 for Southeast Asia. Among the three covering multiple countries, the first was for ESMS capacity building for private sector financial intermediaries, the second was for the EIA clearinghouse and capacity strengthening through twinning, and the third was for the training and knowledge sharing for CSS strengthening in the Pacific. All 29 subprojects were completed by 31 December 2016.

Output 2: Knowledge management and dissemination

To promote effective knowledge sharing among the DMCs, including South-South cooperation and partnership among multilateral and bilateral agencies for CSS strengthening, the first CSS Regional Workshop in April 2012 was organized with support from TA 7566. This was followed by the second Regional Workshop in October 2014. In 2016, the TA also supported two CSS Subregional Workshops -- one for Central, West, and East Asia; and another for South and Southeast Asia. The Third Regional Workshop on CSS was held in April 2017.

TA 7566 likewise supported a regional CSS mapping exercise to undertake initial diagnostic assessments of developing member countries.

Output 3: Cooperation among development agencies

ADB has played a core role in promoting partnership on CSS in the region. In 2012, a joint community of practice on CSS involving ADB, DFAT, Australia, JICA, and the World Bank was established.