European Bank for Reconstruction and Development | Bank Information Center: Monitoring the projects and policies of the World Bank, IMF and other international financial institutions


bicusa.org/ebrd Home InstitutionsEBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Overview Structure Lending Policies Getting Info Projects Updates Resources Contacts RSS Update \| 2 October 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news Read all the headlines concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 26 September 2008 Weekly update: IFIs in the news Read all the headlines concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 19 September 2008 Weekly update: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 19 September 2008 EBRD approves Pechora Energy Project in Komi Republic The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a US$50 million loan for expansion of oil and gas extraction operations in the Timan-Pechora basin of the northern Komi Republic in Russia. Various civil society groups have raised concerns of the major project's implications for the environment and the indigenous Komi-Izhemts people's rights. Read more Update \| 18 September 2008 Additional challenges for the BTC Pipeline Following the August 25 reopening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline after the armed conflict in Georgia, the BTC has faced several technical and strategic issues when it comes to its future and viability. Read more Update \| 12 September 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 5 September 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 29 August 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 22 August 2008 The IFIs and financial intermediaries in ECA: Implementation of environmental and social standards International Financial Institution (IFI) lending through financial intermediaries (FIs) has become particularly significant in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, but the IFIs lack adequate policies to ensure social and environmental best practices are applied to subsequent FI lending. Read more Update \| 22 August 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 20 August 2008 Banks active in extractive projects in Russia’s Komi Republic IFI involvement in mining and oil projects in the Timan-Pechora basin raises environmental and social concerns. Read more Update \| 18 August 2008 IFIs cooperate on Central Asian road projects The IFIs are set to invest billions of dollars in transportation infrastructure in Central Asia, primarily under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC). Read more Update \| 15 August 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the News The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 14 August 2008 IFIs respond to Georgian conflict The international financial institutions (IFIs) have offered aid to Georgia, as the conflict winds down. Read more Update \| 11 August 2008 Turkmenistan’s pipeline prospects: China, Russia, India, or Europe? As the great powers seek energy security, Turkmenistan is at the center of a number of pipeline proposals. Read more Update \| 8 August 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 7 August 2008 Explosion along the BTC Pipeline confirms civil society concerns A fire on the Turkish segment of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline has led to declined oil production, pipeline closure, and security fears. Read more Update \| 1 August 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 25 July 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 18 July 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 17 July 2008 EIB expands its operations to Central Asia Europe’s pursuit of new energy routes has helped secure Central Asia’s eligibility for funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB), leading to concerns about further extractive industry financing in the region. Read more Update \| 11 July 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 2 July 2008 Election controversy raises questions for Mongolia’s mining sector July riots signal the importance of transparency and responsible revenue management for Mongolia’s political stability. Read more Update \| 27 June 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 10 June 2008 Kazakhstan signs BTC agreement into law, plans new pipelines Kazakhstan has signed into law a 2006 agreement to transport oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, while making plans to connect its oil to the BTC route through additional domestic and trans-Caspian pipelines. Read more Update \| 9 June 2008 EBRD focuses its Russian lending on infrastructure The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will earmark 40% of its Russian lending to infrastructure. Read more Update \| 6 June 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Country Update \| 4 June 2008 Azerbaijan Country Update #14 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Azerbaijan. Read more Country Update \| 4 June 2008 Kazakhstan Country Update #16 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kazakhstan. Read more Country Update \| 4 June 2008 Kyrgyz Republic Country Update #5 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the Kyrgyz Republic. Read more Country Update \| 4 June 2008 Mongolia Country Update #2 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Mongolia. Read more Country Update \| 4 June 2008 Georgia Country Update #1 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Georgia. Read more Country Update \| 4 June 2008 Russia Country Update #1 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Russia. Read more Update \| 2 June 2008 The EBRD’s Annual Meeting in Kiev Read highlights from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (EBRD) Annual Meeting, held last month in Kiev, Ukraine. Read more Update \| 30 May 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 23 May 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news This is a new feature from BIC! This "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 16 May 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the News This is a new feature from BIC! This "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 15 May 2008 EBRD approves new policies The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved new Environmental and Social Policy as well as a Public Information Policy, a week before the EBRD Annual Meetings. Read more Update \| 9 May 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news This is a new feature from BIC! This "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 2 May 2008 Weekly roundup: IFIs in the news This is a new feature from BIC! This "Weekly Roundup" is a compliation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. Read more Update \| 24 March 2008 Struggle over succession at the EBRD A struggle over selecting the successor to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has divided donor and recipient countries in a manner that is reminiscent of the recent debates over succession at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Read more Update \| 7 March 2008 EBRD presents draft of its revised Environmental and Social Policy The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently published a draft of its newly revised Environmental and Social Policy. EBRD is soliciting public comments on the draft policy document until April 9, 2008. Read more Update \| 26 February 2008 Analysis of implementation of revenue transparency commitments of IFC and EBRD loans Read the preliminary assessment of the implementation of project level revenue transparency commitments for the extractive industry projects financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Read more Update \| 11 February 2008 Campaign to stop EBRD Bautino II project in Kazakhstan Kashagan Oil Field threatens local livelihoods, health, and endangered species. Read more Update \| 31 January 2008 Nabucco Pipeline starts technical planning while considerations for seventh partner remain After several delays, the gas pipeline project is expected to enter into initial constuction phase in 2009 amid civil society concerns over environmental and social impacts. Read more Update \| 30 January 2008 Civil Society Guide to IFI Policy Reviews Read more Update \| 12 December 2007 Mongolia's Memorandum of Understanding with IFIs The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government of Mongolia and the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is now available. Read more Update \| 13 November 2007 Letter to EBRD on mining in Mongolia BIC’s Europe and Central Asia program sent a letter to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) following a meeting with officials at the EBRD Annual Meetings in Kazan, Russia in May 2007 in which EBRD invited suggestions on best international practices in sustainable mining. EBRD officials also promised to look into making public the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government of Mongolia and the EBRD, ADB, and World Bank. To date, the MoU is not available to the public. BIC’s letter and the EBRD response are available below. Read more Press Release \| 12 November 2007 Press release: Taman tries the taste of oil Guilt for the environmental catastrophe in the Strait of Kerch lies with the authorities in Russia and Ukraine, as well as with the companies transporting dangerous cargo Read more Country Update \| 1 November 2007 Mongolia Country Update #1 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Mongolia. Read more Update \| 24 September 2007 Europeans commit to Nabucco pipeline In an effort to reduce dependence on Russian gas, the European Union endorses the development of the Nabucco gas pipeline. Read more Country Update \| 24 September 2007 Kazakhstan Country Update #15 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kazakhstan. Read more Country Update \| 24 September 2007 Azerbaijan Country Update #13 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Azerbaijan. Read more Update \| 20 September 2007 UN adopts Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples On September 13th, after over 20 years of negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly finally adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The international declaration sets a higher standard for international financial institutions (IFIs) to ensure safeguards and strengthen their policies on indigenous peoples. Read more Press Clipping \| 14 August 2007 EBRD disengages from talks on Sakhalin II Project In a recent press release, EBRD stated that it has officially withdrawn from negotiations with Sakhalin Energy Investment Company, in part due to changes in shareholding of the company. Gazprom became the majority shareholder of SEIC in April 2007. EBRD now considers it more preferable to work with Gazprom on other energy projects in Russia in the future. Read more Update \| 5 June 2007 2007 Annual Meetings of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) held its Annual Governors Meeting in Kazan, Russia May 20-21, 2007. The NGO Programme organized by the Bank attracted a large array of civil society organizations from Russia and abroad. While many questions were left unanswered by the Bank, NGOs succeeded in raising issues of critical importance to civil society in Russia and elsewhere. Read more Update \| 15 May 2007 EBRD begins civil society engagement in review of its Environmental Policy The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to expand its Environmental Policy into an Environmental and Social Policy, which will be complemented by a set of Policy Requirements, modeled after the Performance Standards of the International Finance Corporation. Read more Update \| 15 May 2007 2007 Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) The EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum will be held 20-21 May 2007 in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. One hot topic of conversation will be over the institution's profits. Read more Update \| 12 March 2007 EBRD in 2006: profits rise and investment in Russia expands The EBRD has expanded its activities markedly in 2006 and has increased investment in Russia, particularly outside major cities. Read more Update \| 2 March 2007 EBRD pilots lending in Mongolia with first country strategy Read more Update \| 26 February 2007 EBRD blacklists German firm found guilty of fraud by World Bank The German company Lahmeyer, found guilty of bribery while involved in the World Bank's Lesotho Highlands Water Project, has been placed on a list of firms that are ineligible of working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) following the EBRD's examination of World Bank reports. Read more Country Update \| 29 January 2007 Azerbaijan Country Update #12 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Azerbaijan. Read more Country Update \| 29 January 2007 Kazakhstan Country Update #14 Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kazakhstan. Read more Country Update \| 29 January 2007 Kyrgyz Republic Update #4 Useful information about recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the Kyrgyz Republic. Read more Update \| 16 January 2007 EBRD decides against involvement in controversial Sakhalin II project The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has decided not to fund the largest oil and gas project in the world, Sakhalin II, on Russia’s Far Eastern island after several years of consultations. Read more Update \| 9 January 2007 New BIC Publication: Public Disclosure of Legal Agreements in EBRD Extractive Industry Projects BIC's Europe and Central Asia program recently conducted a research study of legal agreement disclosure in European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Extractive Industries projects. Read more Update \| 9 January 2007 New BIC Publication: Quick Reference Guide to Revenue Transparency at the IFIs BIC's Europe and Central Asia program has compiled an easy access source of information on International Financial Institution (IFI) disclosure policies and their weaknesses. Read more Update \| 7 December 2006 Global Transparency Initiative comments on EBRD draft disclosure procedures In the wake of an announcement from EBRD that it will review both its disclosure and environmental policies in 2007, the Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) makes comments on information requests and appeals systems of the Public Information Policy. Read more Update \| 13 November 2006 EBRD issues draft procedures on disclosure requests and appeals process Last week the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) released a draft of "Implementing Procedural Provisions for Information Requests and Appeals." The draft is available on the bank’s website, and will be open for public comment for 30 days. Read more Update \| 27 October 2006 Russian authorities' complaints jeopardize Sakhalin II project The Sakhalin II project has come under fierce scrutiny by the Russian authorities in recent days, and may be suspended in certain sections due to allegations of illegal deforestation, the dumping of toxic waste, and soil erosion. Read more Update \| 24 August 2006 New Discussion Paper: Azerbaijan’s Continued Struggle with Poverty and Oil Dependence This paper assesses a decade of IFI operations in Azerbaijan and how those operations have performed in relation to the goal of economic diversification – a main objective of IFI lending programs and the main priority of Azerbaijan's poverty reduction program. Read more Update \| 14 July 2006 EBRD approves new Energy Policy According to European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the new Energy Policy focuses on investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy projects, regulatory reform, and corporate responsibility. Read more Update \| 28 June 2006 European NGOs meet with EBRD President Jean Lemierre Once again this year the EBRD annual meeting in London concluded with a meeting between NGO representatives from across central and eastern Europe and the president of the EBRD, Jean Lemierre. Read more Update \| 12 June 2006 Shell falsifies External Monitoring Reports on Sakhalin II river crossings Publicly disclosed external observer monitoring reports on Sakhalin II project were different from the original reports on which the released reports were allegedly based. R