IFC & MIGA Environmental and Social and Accountability Review

This week, the World Bank Group announced the review of the IFC and MIGA’s environmental and social (E&S) accountability. The announcement is here. The external review will include evaluation of “the role and effectiveness of the Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), the independent accountability mechanism for IFC and MIGA.” Accountability Counsel is participating in this review as one of the civil society organizations referenced in the announcement as part of the multi-stakeholder group to be consulted. We are concerned about the review’s lack of transparency and public participation and are raising this issue through our input.

Our substantive input will be based on our experience supporting communities around the world harmed by IFC and MIGA activities, research into all IFC and MIGA activities that have led to CAO complaints, and our policy advocacy around World Bank Group accountability over the past decade. To date, we have supported communities from India, Kenya (pictured), Mongolia, Panama, Peru, and Ukraine in their cases to the CAO, with each case providing instructive lessons for IFC and MIGA and the work needed to ensure that the CAO can meaningfully support IFC and MIGA to avoid and remedy harm to local people. We look forward to participating in the review and will post updates and submissions here.