Robust consultation needed on the new draft Policy governing the Inter-American Development Bank’s accountability office

Today, Accountability Counsel and 22 other civil society organizations sent a letter (Spanish only) to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) demanding a robust public consultation period of no less than 60 days regarding the soon-to-be-released draft revised Policy of the Bank’s accountability office. The office receives complaints from people who are or might be harmed by IDB-financed projects and is often the only recourse mechanism available to such communities. We are concerned by rumors that the Bank is intending to conduct an abbreviated, online-only public consultation. The letter called on the Bank to organize in-person or videoconference meetings across the region and to take measures to ensure the participation of past and potential future complainants.  Read more about the ongoing review of the IDB’s accountability office.