http://bicusa.org/en/Region.2.aspx The latest news on Asia from the Bank Information Center 10 http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif http://bicusa.org/en/Region.2.aspx A Mines and Communities (MAC) article spotlights two independent reports critical of the Phulbari coal mining project in northwest Bangladesh. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10984.aspx Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:26:22 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10984.aspx The Phulbari Coal Project threatens numerous dangers and potential damages, ranging from the degradation of a major agricultural region in Bangladesh to pollution of the world's largest wetlands. The project's Summary Environmental Impact Assessment, and its full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment are replete with vague assurances, issuing many promises of future mitigation measures. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10979.aspx Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:34:44 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10979.aspx Network charges that poor quality of 2nd draft implies that President Kuroda has been unable to convince the ADB bureaucracy to uphold and support his vision of the ADB as the leading regional development organization on poverty alleviation and climate change. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10972.aspx Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:44:36 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10972.aspx The 2nd draft, contrary to Asian Development Bank President Kuroda’s standard-setting public assertions that no weakening of the policy would occur, represents a significant dilution of the Bank’s existing safeguards. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10963.aspx Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:07:18 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10963.aspx A network of West Java and Jakarta civil society organizations have uncovered serious flaws in the design of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Integrated Water Resource Management Investment Project (ICWRMIP) and are urging the ADB's Board of Directors to pull out from investing into the proposed project unless a "significant, meaningful, strongly and broadly supported re-assessment of the entire program is undertaken." http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10961.aspx Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:09:41 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10961.aspx A newly released joint report between Bank Information Center (BIC) and Global Witness critically assesses the World Bank Group's and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) success in increasing transparency in extractive industries in resource-rich countries. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3933.aspx Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3933.aspx ADB consults with civil society organizanizations this week on their social and environmental lending criteria. Critics worry that the strategy will not reduce poverty in the region. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10938.aspx Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:56:11 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10938.aspx Internal ADB evaluation finds unsatisfactory returns, lack of focus for selection, weak safeguards. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10939.aspx Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:21:05 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10939.aspx The brief details the World Bank's climate change policy, different carbon funds, and the World Bank's climate change mitigation and adaptation work in South Asia. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10931.aspx Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:04:19 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.10931.aspx A coalition of 630 organizations from 104 countries have issued a statement demanding a truly global response to the global crisis and laying out a set of principles for doing so. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3930.aspx Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:07:27 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3930.aspx In the wake of the global financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is experiencing a resurgence as the world’s "financial crisis firefighter." The upcoming G20 financial summit has placed the IMF as the central institution in charge of “crisis management” and reform of the international financial architecture. While there is much talk of “overhauling” the IMF through fundamental reforms, the same leaders who say this are also talking about broadening the scope of the IMF’s power and influence. Undoubtedly empowered by the contagion of financial meltdown in middle-income countries, the IMF is now scurrying around the globe signing new multi-billion dollar loan deals with a spate of new countries, most notably the Eastern European “Baltic tiger” countries. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3929.aspx Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:31:02 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3929.aspx Sign-on to the civil society letter, BY OCTOBER 28, supporting the fundamental and far-reaching transformation of the international financial and economic system. The letter supports the major international conference convened by the UN to review the international financial and monetary architecture, its institutions and its governance. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3923.aspx Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:34:35 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3923.aspx International Rivers has just released a new report "Power Surge," which chronicles the social and environmental debt created by a boom in hydropower development in Laos. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3913.aspx Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:59:05 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3913.aspx To broaden its use among civil society organizations in China, the Bank Information Center’s World Bank Toolkits for Activists is now available in Chinese. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3909.aspx Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:47:53 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3909.aspx Report by 2007 panel accuses the World Bank of causing "grievous and irreversible damage to those they intend to serve" in India. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3905.aspx Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3905.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3889.aspx Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3889.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3886.aspx Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3886.aspx Over 100 civil society groups from 31 countries are calling on financial backers to withdraw their support from the the controversial Phulbari Coal Project in Bangladesh. The project will displace over 200,000 people, impoverish farming households and cause immense environmental impacts in one of the most fertile regions of Bangladesh. Despite these factors, according to information available on its website, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) remains interested in financing the project after having distanced itself from it earlier this year. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3881.aspx Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3881.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3880.aspx Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3880.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3872.aspx Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3872.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3866.aspx Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3866.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3863.aspx Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3863.aspx The author, Shripad Dharmadhikary, examines why being a knowledge provider is so important to the World Bank, and how the Bank uses its research and knowledge services to intervene in the policy making of borrowing countries. The Bank Information Center supported the distribution of this book so as to highlight this little discussed role of the World Bank. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3859.aspx Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3859.aspx A new report released by an independent researcher from the Burmese community says that many victims of Cyclone Nargis are still not getting adequate relief material from international aid groups, including the United Nations agencies. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3858.aspx Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3858.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3856.aspx Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3856.aspx Civil society access to information is often impeded by the Asian Development Bank. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3854.aspx Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:34:56 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3854.aspx On July 8-9, 2008, Indonesian NGOs held a two day workshop in Bandung, West Java on the ADB’s pipeline Integrated Citarum Water Resource Management (ICWRM) Project. The occasion marked the launch of the Peoples Alliance for Citarum (Aliansi Rakyat untuk Citarum-ARUM). http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3850.aspx Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:54:32 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3850.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3848.aspx Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3848.aspx Audio from the panel discussion on the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Safeguard Policy Update at the ADB's 2008 Annual Meeting is now available online. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3845.aspx Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:07:12 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3845.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3841.aspx Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3841.aspx As the World Bank prepares to launch two new climate investment funds at the upcoming G8 summit, and positions itself as the "climate bank," new statistics developed by the Bank Information Center show that the World Bank's private sector arm, the International Financial Corporation (IFC), increased its lending for fossil fuel projects by a staggering 165% in FY2008. Taken as a whole, the World Bank Group increased its fossil-fuel lending by 60% in the same period. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3840.aspx Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3840.aspx Bank Information Center has recently released it's new "Handbook for Advocacy on Extractive Industry Revenues: Good Practices and the IMF’s Guide on Resource Revenue Transparency." http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3836.aspx Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:34:41 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3836.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3826.aspx Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3826.aspx In a Statement issued June 17, the Ethnic Community Development Forum (ECDF) of Burma cautioned the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) against any engagement with Burma's military rulers in the post-Cyclone Nargis scenario given the human rights situation in the country. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3818.aspx Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:33:10 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3818.aspx The World Bank's Tiger Conservation Initiative aims to raise global awareness about the plight of the endangered tiger and to work with local and international communities to stave off its extinction. The initiative is unprecedented for an institution whose stated mission is to fight poverty in developing countries rather than conserve endangered species. But a day after the launch, India is reported for have refused the World Bank's "offer" for a loan for the inititiative. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3807.aspx Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:53:13 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3807.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3802.aspx Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3802.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3791.aspx Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3791.aspx The World Bank announced today that it has set up a financing facility in the order of $1.2 billion to assist with the global food crisis. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3784.aspx Thu, 29 May 2008 15:16:41 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3784.aspx The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lending is at an all time low, and the institution is forced to redefine its role as developing countries benefit from the availability of other sources of finance. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3783.aspx Wed, 28 May 2008 11:57:54 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3783.aspx The "Weekly Roundup" is a compilation of select news articles, blogs or other media concerning the international financial institutions from the past week. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3781.aspx Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3781.aspx 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. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3779.aspx Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3779.aspx After ignoring civil society demands that called for a halt to public consultations, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has finally agreed to issue an additional draft and consultation. The announcement comes a week before the Asian Development Fund (ADF) replenishment wrap-up, and ADB watchers believe the concession was made after the U.S. tied its ADF contribution to a satisfactory resolution of the review. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3765.aspx Tue, 13 May 2008 14:59:47 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3765.aspx 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. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3764.aspx Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3764.aspx Skyrocketing food prices have forced the international financial institutions (IFIs) to articulate responses to the situation. The World Bank has conjured a "New Deal for Global Food Policy" to pump agriculture-oriented loans and programs into Africa and to address emergency financing needs. The IMF has voiced concern over the likely macroeconomic shocks of the food crisis in low-income countries. But the Bretton Woods Institutions must wrestle with a legacy that helped set the stage for diminished food security in many low-income countries. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3763.aspx Fri, 09 May 2008 10:31:29 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3763.aspx 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. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3762.aspx Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3762.aspx In a recent sign-on statement, multiple civil society organizations rejected the Asian Development Bank's new strategy, arguing that it will push for more private sector involvement in development and lead to more harmful impacts on services, livelihoods, food security and the environment. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3753.aspx Tue, 06 May 2008 14:37:09 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3753.aspx Civil society organizations warn that Asia's communities and environment will continue to be at risk if the Asian Development Bank (ADB) fails to improve its existing safeguard policies that are currently being revised. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3751.aspx Tue, 06 May 2008 13:48:12 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3751.aspx At the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) annual meeting, the Bank's Long-term Strategic Framework and the global food crisis tops the agenda. Civil society groups attending the meeting have criticized the ADB's pursuit of private sector development at the expense of poverty-alleviation efforts and community and environmental interests. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3750.aspx Mon, 05 May 2008 10:05:53 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3750.aspx 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. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3749.aspx Fri, 02 May 2008 10:47:40 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3749.aspx As the Asian Development Bank prepares to meet for its upcoming annual meeting, it faces criticism from shareholders concerned about its role and relevance in the region and by civil society over its handling of the global food crisis. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3746.aspx Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:01:13 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3746.aspx A confidential report by the Asian Development Bank's evaluation unit reveals that the Bank is violating its own rules by investing more in private equity firms than it is allowed. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3744.aspx Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:51:34 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3744.aspx While the U.S. remains committed to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its mission of reducing poverty in Asia, objections to the Bank's lending policies and its function are causing concerns that U.S. funding commitments could be cut because of the dispute. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3741.aspx Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:01:29 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3741.aspx This update provides the most recent information regarding the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank held in Madrid, Spain from May 3-6. It also includes the activities of civil society organizations taking place during the meeting. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3740.aspx Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:45:11 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3740.aspx The new strategic framework of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been criticised by civil society groups as being anti-poor and vulnerable to corruption. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3732.aspx Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:55:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3732.aspx The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and ITUC-Asia Pacific represents 18.6 million members in 48 national affiliates from 29 countries in the region. In a letter to President Kuroda of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the ITUC and ITUC-AP point out that the ADB draft omits mention of all labor issues except one brief mention. They urge the ADB to adopt a policy on core labor standards and other basic labor conditions. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3730.aspx Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3730.aspx Read the special Spring Meetings edition of the Bretton Woods Update, co-produced with Afrodad, Bank Information Center, Choike, and Eurodad. The issue is also available in Spanish. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3724.aspx Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:18:31 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3724.aspx The Director of the Asian Development Bank’s Private Sector Operations Department, Robert Bestani, notified the Bank’s Board of Directors last week that it will take the Phulbari Coal Project in Bangladesh out of the Bank’s funding pipeline. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3720.aspx Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:29:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3720.aspx As part of its North America leg of consultations, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held a half day event in Washington, DC on April 1 to seek feedback on its draft Safeguard Policy Statement. Several NGOs declined attendance in support of the position taken by the NGO Forum on ADB which calls for a "halt" in consultations given the weakness of the consultation draft. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3714.aspx Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:36:25 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3714.aspx Loan conditions imposed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are blamed for lifting measures that protect the farm sector. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3710.aspx Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3710.aspx Representatives of the U.S. Senate judiciary and House financial services committees, urge Hank Paulson, the U.S. Treasury secretary, to demand that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stick to tougher environmental and social criteria. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3696.aspx Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:36:12 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3696.aspx Groups from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma have refused to attend the Asian Development Bank's safeguard policy update consultations held this week in Hanoi, citing weakness of the draft. As a result, only three (3) NGOs attended the consultation adding another blow to ADB's beleaguered efforts to pass off the consultation process as credible. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3692.aspx Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:39:35 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3692.aspx Burmese civil society groups have sent an open letter to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stating that the ADB's weak Safeguard Policy Statement draft will cause not only social and environmental harms but may also lead to human rights violations. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3691.aspx Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:14:12 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3691.aspx Following similar announcements by other multilateral development banks, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) last week endorsed the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3689.aspx Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:45:26 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3689.aspx Trainings aim to inform Indonesian civil society about the basics of the multilateral development banks and hold the institutions accountable. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3683.aspx Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:12:25 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3683.aspx Directors from several non-governmental organizations in Vietnam have sent a letter to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stating their refusal to participate in upcoming ADB consultations in Hanoi on March 5-6, 2008. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3682.aspx Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3682.aspx In a press release, members of the Manila-based NGO Forum on ADB ask the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to stop its public consultations and revise the draft document known as the Safeguards Policy Statement (SPS) released in October 2007. The coalition demands ADB re-draft the policy before resuming consultations because the SPS is an “unacceptable and unsuitable basis for public review and consultation.” http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3675.aspx Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:46:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3675.aspx BIC and Oxfam Australia have closely followed the review of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Safeguards Policies since it was first announced in August 2005. Both organizations believe the dilution and weakening of the October 2007 Consultation Draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) contradicts assurances the ADB publicly made on several occasions, and both have stated that unless revised, the current consultation process is not worthy of further engagement. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3670.aspx Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:08:56 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3670.aspx World Bank hopes leading academic's appointment will help strengthen ties with China. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3668.aspx Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:50:25 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3668.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3659.aspx Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:07:32 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3659.aspx Leading donors to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have demanded that the institution overhaul its staffing and oversight procedures. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3655.aspx Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:57:45 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3655.aspx Phulbari resistance groups produce first documentary video. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3647.aspx Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:09:47 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3647.aspx First of its kind loan would be invested in health, water, energy and irrigation projects. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3646.aspx Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:54:25 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3646.aspx Close to fifty people representing social movements in India and other parts of South Asia delivered a boycott statement to Asian Development Bank officials in New Delhi on January 16th, at the start of the Bank's consultations on its Draft Safeguard Policy Statement. The organised protest consisted of slogans and plackards, one of which read: "End to Lending." http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3644.aspx Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:24:50 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3644.aspx Civil society groups from South Asia are planning to boycott the Asian Development Bank's consultation meeting on its safeguards policy update, to be held in New Delhi, India tomorrow. The groups, from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh state that the ADB's consultation draft, released in October 2007, greatly dilutes the Bank's earlier policies on Environment (2002), Involuntary Resettlement (1995) and Indigenous Peoples (1998), and is opposed to indigenous peoples’ rights and subverts environmental considerations. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3643.aspx Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:04:40 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3643.aspx Citing violations of five of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) own policies, non-governmental organizations from around the world have petitioned the ADB to discontinue its pre-appraisal of the Phulbari Coal Project and remove it from the funding pipeline. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3642.aspx Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:04:37 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3642.aspx The Compliance Review Panel is part of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Accountability Mechanism. It is a citizen’s complaint panel where people affected by ADB projects can request an independent investigation into problems they face and policy violations committed by the ADB. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3634.aspx Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3634.aspx One World Trust’s 2007 report identifies vital accountability standards for global actors. Ratings of policies and systems, however, do not reflect the most critical dimension of accountability: on-the-ground practice. Asian groups disagree with top scores for ADB. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3598.aspx Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3598.aspx Working session aims to update the Indonesian civil society organizations and movements on the old and new trends in the governance and operations of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as they relate to Indonesia. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3594.aspx Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3594.aspx In 2006, the World Bank’s Inspection Panel (IP) issued its investigation report for the Bank-funded Pakistan National Drainage Program (NDP). The inspection requesters strongly feel the World Bank Board should ask the Inspection Panel to monitor progress of Management's Action Plan so as to provide the Board with an independent assessment of progress or lack thereof. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3584.aspx Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:11:22 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3584.aspx The NGO Forum on ADB, on October 24 and 25, raised several issues with the ADB around the review of its Safeguard Policies. The ADB responded by agreeing to change dates of two regional consultations and to provide Vietnamese and Bahasa translations of the Consultation Draft. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3562.aspx Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:04:31 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3562.aspx A people's tribunal against the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank was announced in Dhaka, Bangladesh yesterday, hours before World Bank President, Robert Zoellick's arrival in the country. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3559.aspx Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:34:52 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3559.aspx As the World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, embarks on his first official visit to South Asia, non-governmental organizations in Pakistan urge the Bank to cease funding for large infrastructure projects. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3555.aspx Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:42:12 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3555.aspx In a letter to the Asian Development Bank's Environment Division, non-governmental organizations raised substantial concerns about recent developments with the Safeguard Policy Update (SPU) process, calling into question the possibility of genuine participation by civil society organizations. It reminds the ADB to honour its previous commitments about the process of these consultations. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3548.aspx Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:17:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3548.aspx This is the first of a series of periodic electronic updates on Asian Development Bank projects in South Asia, from BIC's South Asia office. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3547.aspx Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:42:51 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3547.aspx Questions remain as to whether the IFC will use its role as a major IDA donor to deflect criticism of its own investments. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3545.aspx Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3545.aspx This is the first of a series of periodic electronic updates on World Bank projects in South Asia, from BIC's South Asia office. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3541.aspx Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:02:35 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3541.aspx The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued a consultation draft of its safeguard policies and is seeking comments on the draft during a 90-day public comment period. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3533.aspx Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:37:52 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3533.aspx On October 15th, a public hearing on the World Bank will take place in The Hague. The hearing aims to raise the debate on the legitimacy of the World Bank and influence the aid distribution process. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3529.aspx Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:10:57 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3529.aspx World Bank President Robert Zoellick has named former Nigerian Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as a new managing director of the Bank, effective December 1, 2007. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3522.aspx Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:50:47 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3522.aspx Controversial both inside and outside the institution, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) strategy in low-income countries was debated at a recent panel that questioned whether or not the IMF should exit low-income countries. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx In its preliminary findings, the first ever Independent People’s Tribunal on the World Bank in India found that the Bank had an undue and disturbingly negative influence in shaping India’s national policies disproportionate to its contribution, financial or otherwise. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3514.aspx Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:22:37 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3514.aspx The World Bank has approved plans to proceed with the development of the controversial Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, although many critical issues remain unanswered. Civil society groups are concerned that the initiative may end up being profitable for governments, companies and investors without any real reductions in carbon emissions, true protection of forest resources, or equitable benefits for the poor. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3510.aspx Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:19:42 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3510.aspx The four-day Independent People's Tribunal on the World Bank, the first of its kind in India, begins today. The Tribunal is an opportunity for impacted commununities and concerned groups to discuss how the World Bank has influenced their lives. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3496.aspx Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3496.aspx 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. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3495.aspx Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:34:28 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3495.aspx Civil society groups monitoring the Asian Development Bank's "safeguard" policies find that the ADB needs to make substantial improvements to catch up with international standards and peer institutions. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3494.aspx Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:17:44 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3494.aspx Four members of the team tasked with revising the ADB project "safeguards" have resigned in protest against management's efforts to dilute the bank's policies on environment, resettlement and indigenous people. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3487.aspx Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:08:07 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3487.aspx The Asian Development Bank is contemplating changing mission its from “poverty reduction” to “inclusive, environmental friendly growth” and promoting “regional economic integration” as it tries to re-invent itself for the “New Asia.” http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3486.aspx Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:25:11 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3486.aspx During his recent visit to Cambodia, new World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, mentioned corruption reform in the county only in passing. Global Witness called on Zoellick to do more to tackle corruption in Cambodia. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3467.aspx Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:01:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3467.aspx The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), found that 41% of the IFC projects studied had low development ratings. IFC performed particularly poorly in Africa and Asia, where only half of its projects had positive development outcomes. In Africa, the quality of IFC work was particularly poor, rated as “high” in only 45% of projects, as compared to 68% in other regions. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3466.aspx Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:21:41 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3466.aspx The Asian Development Bank has completed the consultation process on its draft Energy Strategy. Civil society organizations from throughout the region have called on the ADB to incorporate current international best practices in sector, and at minimum to adopt the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3461.aspx Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:54:54 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3461.aspx China's "no-strings-attached" investments in Africa appear to many a welcome alternative to the conditional loans offered by the World Bank and IMF. But what consequences will China's growing involvement on the continent have for Africans? http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3460.aspx Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:21:03 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3460.aspx The World Bank allegedly removed inflammatory findings on pollution-related deaths from a report under pressure from the Chinese government. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3424.aspx Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:43:57 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3424.aspx Find out what extractive industry (oil, gas, mining) and energy projects the international financial institutions (IFIs) are financing in your country. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3395.aspx Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3395.aspx The Asian Development Bank released a draft of its proposed Energy Strategy on May 28 for a sixty day comment period ending July 27, 2007. Civil society groups will engage with ADB but want to see more iterations of draft. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3391.aspx Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:56:07 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3391.aspx At the 40th Annual Asian Development Bank (ADB) AGMs, CSOs outlined major gaps in existing ADB standards and discussed what the ADB should do to meet and surpass the highest international standards as ADB gears up to revamp its Safeguard Policies. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3354.aspx Thu, 17 May 2007 12:47:41 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3354.aspx The Asian Development Bank (ADB) celebrated its 40th anniversary in Kyoto, Japan signaling its close relationship with one of its largest shareholders (the other being the USA) and using the 10th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol an occasion to promote its new focus on climate change and clean energy. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3304.aspx Mon, 07 May 2007 10:55:24 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3304.aspx The OED’s decision to include Khulna-Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project (KJDRP) in its 2007-2009 work-plan constitutes the first victory in the campaign to ensure the approach taken to manage drainage is not repeated in other ADB-funded projects in the region. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3230.aspx Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:37:50 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3230.aspx The consultations were originally scheduled for March 2007. New consultations are tentatively scheduled for the late second quarter of 2007. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3152.aspx Wed, 14 Feb 2007 10:22:27 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3152.aspx Civil society groups issue a call to join activists from around the world to stand up in solidarity with Burma 's victims of severe and systematic human rights violations and environmental destruction and protest the Thai government's plans with the Burmese military regime to dam the Salween River in Burma on February 28. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3144.aspx Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:49:28 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3144.aspx An ADB Safeguard Policy Consultation was scheduled to take place on March 8, 2007, in Hanoi, Vietnam. This has now been postponed and a new date has not been announced. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3139.aspx Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:42:02 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3139.aspx Accompanied with new anti-corruption frameworks and laws, loans to both Cambodia and Vietnam have been reinstated after a year of supension. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3137.aspx Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:23:52 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3137.aspx A letter, endorsed by 40 of civil society organizations from 14 countries, points to weaknesses around transparency and participation in the ADB's ongoing Safeguards Policy Update (SPU). http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3135.aspx Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:48:26 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3135.aspx Shahidul Islam, a leading human rights defender in Bangladesh and Executive Director of the NGO Uttaran, was detained by Bangladeshi military authorities under the Special Powers Act. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3128.aspx Fri, 02 Feb 2007 13:28:33 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3128.aspx The consultation, whose date is yet to be determined, will collect the opinions of stakeholders from eight countries. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3122.aspx Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:01:27 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3122.aspx The upcoming consultation aims to collect the opinions of stakeholders in eight countries. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3121.aspx Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:43:56 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3121.aspx Information about recent developments and civil society concerns related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in Indonesia, including that of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3115.aspx Mon, 29 Jan 2007 11:05:37 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3115.aspx The India Country Updates provide information about recent developments and civil society concerns related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in India, including that of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3106.aspx Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:42:37 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3106.aspx The Bangladesh Country Updates provide information about recent developments and civil society concerns related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in Bangladesh, including that of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3105.aspx Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:40:51 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3105.aspx The Pakistan Country Updates provide information about recent developments and civil society concerns related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in Pakistan, including that of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3104.aspx Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:38:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3104.aspx The report will guide the organization's work in Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, China, Laos and Indonesia. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3065.aspx Thu, 21 Dec 2006 10:09:51 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3065.aspx Local community representatives from twelve provinces in Cambodia and from a number of other countries in the region spoke at the meeting last month. Participants described how their lives, livelihoods and environments have been adversely affected by large plantations in their respective regions. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3055.aspx Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:01:31 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3055.aspx Greenpeace is urging the ADB to stop funding projects that induce climate change, some of which they call "the dirtiest technology." http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3054.aspx Mon, 18 Dec 2006 10:35:57 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3054.aspx Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for the following positions: Asia Program Manager, Finance/Admin Assistant for Delhi-based South Asia office, and Policy Program Internship. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3001.aspx Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:48:34 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.3001.aspx The Assistant will be responsible for managing the day-to-day administrative and financial operations of the New Delhi office. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2999.aspx Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:22:45 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2999.aspx In continuation of its efforts to deepen engagement with communities and civil society organizations in the region, the Bank Information Center (BIC) would like to announce the opening of its Mekong/SE Asia Regional Office in Bangkok. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2996.aspx Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2996.aspx BIC and NGO Forum on ADB's “Guide to Understanding the ADB” is being translated into ten South Asian languages by BIC’s partner NGOs in the South Asia region. BIC and its collaborating partners hope the translations will further enhance the Guide’s accessibility to local audiences and make it a principal source of information for activists. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2962.aspx Tue, 26 Sep 2006 16:44:41 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2962.aspx Shefali will lead BIC's outreach activities and project and policy monitoring in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2960.aspx Mon, 25 Sep 2006 01:37:24 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2960.aspx Following is a joint civil society letter that was sent to Asian Development Bank President, Haruhiko Kuroda, regarding the selection process for the position of the Special Project Facilitator. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2955.aspx Mon, 18 Sep 2006 14:04:06 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2955.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2927.aspx Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:30:31 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2927.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2923.aspx Tue, 08 Aug 2006 11:21:10 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2923.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2906.aspx Wed, 26 Jul 2006 14:56:34 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2906.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2895.aspx Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:12:57 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2895.aspx On June 22, the World Bank suspended 13 contracts related to four Cambodian projects, bringing the total number of World Bank contracts suspended in the country to 43. The 43 contracts are associated with a total of seven projects, and are worth $11.9 million. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2871.aspx Sat, 01 Jul 2006 16:22:30 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2871.aspx The report was developed after a three day site visit by members of civil society organizations. It will be submitted to ADB Management and Board in order to highlight outstanding resettlement provisions and several other compliance deficiencies. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2847.aspx Fri, 16 Jun 2006 16:30:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2847.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2844.aspx Fri, 16 Jun 2006 08:13:42 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2844.aspx The projects in question are land management and administration, infrastructure, and water supply and sanitation projects. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2833.aspx Fri, 09 Jun 2006 10:41:25 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2833.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2823.aspx Fri, 02 Jun 2006 15:55:02 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2823.aspx The changes implement recommendations made in the institution's "re-alignment paper", which was approved by the ADB Board on April 17. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2804.aspx Mon, 22 May 2006 17:23:50 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2804.aspx BIC's Asia Program Manager Mishka Zaman outlines the institution's prioritization of business over poverty reduction in the May 15 issue of Down to Earth magazine. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2799.aspx Tue, 16 May 2006 16:47:06 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2799.aspx The institution is currently funding 53 projects in India, totaling almost $12 billion. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2798.aspx Tue, 16 May 2006 15:33:42 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2798.aspx Shannon Lawrence and Peter Bosshard contend that the World Bank's actions facilitate rather than discourage corruption in the country's infrastructure projects. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2795.aspx Fri, 12 May 2006 12:45:05 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2795.aspx Read statements and articles from civil society, the press, and the ADB. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2757.aspx Thu, 04 May 2006 16:11:57 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2757.aspx In an open letter to Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Kuroda and the Board of Directors, over forty civil society organizations warned against the approach outlined by the ADB in the review of its Environment, Indigenous Peoples, and Involuntary Resettlement Policies, highlighting the potential for drastically weakened standards of social and environmental protections. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2687.aspx Mon, 20 Mar 2006 11:16:33 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2687.aspx The World Bank has temporarily suspended financial support to the Mumbai Urban Transport Project due to concerns about the equitable treatment and resettlement of affected communities. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2663.aspx Wed, 08 Mar 2006 16:06:32 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2663.aspx The Asian Development Bank (ADB) posted a final draft of its review on the implementation of ADB Governance and Anticorruption Policies on December 27, 2005. The draft is available for public comment until February 1, 2006. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2567.aspx Thu, 05 Jan 2006 14:33:29 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2567.aspx The India Country Updates provide information about recent developments and civil society concerns related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in India, including that of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. <ul><li class="DocPDF"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/India Country Update 3 suggestions.pdf ">India Country Update # 3</a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (Acrobat pdf 313 KB)</li></ul><ul><li class="DocDOC"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/India Country Update 3 suggestions.doc"> India Country Update #3 </a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (MS Word 171 KB)</li></ul><ul><li class="DocPDF"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/India country- update-3-project table.pdf"> India Project Table </a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (Acrobat pdf 595 KB) </li></ul><ul><li class="DocDOC"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/India country- update-3-project table.doc"> India Project Table</a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (MS Word 307 KB)</li></ul> http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2537.aspx Mon, 26 Dec 2005 13:17:00 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2537.aspx The Nepal Country Updates provide information about recent developments and civil society concerns related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in Nepal, including that of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.<ul><li class="DocPDF"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/Nepal Country Update 1suggestions.pdf"> Nepal Country Update #1 </a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (Acrobat pdf 395 KB)</li></ul><ul><li class="DocDOC"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/Nepal Country Update 1suggestions.doc"> Nepal Country Update #1</a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (MS Word 536 KB)</li></ul><ul><li class="DocPDF"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/Nepal-project-summary.pdf"> Nepal Project Summary</a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (Acrobat pdf 201 KB)</li></ul><ul><li class="DocDOC"> <a href=" http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/Nepal-project-summary.doc"> Nepal Project Summary </a> Bank Information Center, December 2005 (MS Word 123 KB) </li></ul> http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2542.aspx Thu, 22 Dec 2005 11:08:48 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2542.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2541.aspx Mon, 19 Dec 2005 10:12:19 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2541.aspx Asian civil society organizations have initiated efforts to prepare for the May 3-6, 2006 Annual General Meeting of the Asian Development Bank. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2518.aspx Fri, 09 Dec 2005 12:09:20 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2518.aspx New Indian ED replaces Mr. Chander Mohan Vasudev as representative for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka. Outoing ED leaves position of chair of Board Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE) open for successor. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2505.aspx Mon, 05 Dec 2005 12:40:18 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2505.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2496.aspx Tue, 29 Nov 2005 15:59:35 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2496.aspx Donors from around the world including many IFIs are currently in Pakistan attempting to coordinate funding for relief efforts in the wake of last month's devastating earthquake. Civil society will be lobbying these organizations to implement the most appropriate and helpful strategies. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2485.aspx Mon, 14 Nov 2005 16:20:02 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2485.aspx The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued its much delayed Discussion Note for the Safeguard Policy “Update” it publicly initiated in July 2005. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2481.aspx Fri, 11 Nov 2005 16:34:07 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2481.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2433.aspx Mon, 24 Oct 2005 16:06:58 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2433.aspx The Vice-President of East Asia and the Pacific will step down in mid-December. A replacement has not been named. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2423.aspx Thu, 20 Oct 2005 17:19:10 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2423.aspx ADB requested to move quickly on establishing an independent resettlement monitoring panel. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2407.aspx Thu, 13 Oct 2005 10:07:20 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2407.aspx Based in Manila, Jelson will provide valuable regional coordination and support to BIC's operations. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2364.aspx Fri, 30 Sep 2005 16:26:20 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2364.aspx Board minutes, draft country strategy and policy documents, and environmental and social monitoring reports should now be publicly available. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2336.aspx Thu, 15 Sep 2005 17:40:40 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2336.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2288.aspx Tue, 16 Aug 2005 13:16:25 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2288.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2287.aspx Tue, 16 Aug 2005 09:43:23 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2287.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2250.aspx Fri, 05 Aug 2005 12:03:15 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2250.aspx Independent assessment of Safeguard Policies implementation also recommended. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2241.aspx Mon, 01 Aug 2005 15:07:44 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2241.aspx Asian Development Bank announces plans to review policies on Involuntary Resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, and Environment. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2234.aspx Mon, 01 Aug 2005 11:46:22 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2234.aspx While not all recommendations from civil society were incorporated into the new PCP, tables reveal that new Policy would not have as many improvements if CSOs had not intervened. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2229.aspx Fri, 29 Jul 2005 15:17:22 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2229.aspx This resource is designed to help Burmese speakers understand MDB engagement with Burma. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2218.aspx Thu, 21 Jul 2005 15:55:58 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2218.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2212.aspx Tue, 19 Jul 2005 16:59:55 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2212.aspx Water Law will decentralize control of country’s water resources and allow private sector involvement. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2206.aspx Tue, 19 Jul 2005 14:25:24 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2206.aspx Water Law will decentralize control of country’s water resources and allow private sector involvement. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2205.aspx Tue, 19 Jul 2005 14:25:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2205.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2195.aspx Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:23:05 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2195.aspx Compliance Review Panel finds violations of 7 Asian Development Bank policies in Southern Transport Development Project. Recommends 19 courses of action. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2201.aspx Wed, 13 Jul 2005 18:36:37 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2201.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2192.aspx Fri, 01 Jul 2005 14:34:22 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2192.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2122.aspx Fri, 20 May 2005 14:39:13 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2122.aspx The Laos Country Updates provide information about recent developments, decisions, civil society concerns and recommendations related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in Laos, including that of the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2121.aspx Fri, 20 May 2005 12:18:03 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2121.aspx The Thailand Country Updates provide information about recent developments, decisions, civil society concerns and recommendations related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in Thailand, including that of the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2120.aspx Fri, 20 May 2005 10:19:59 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2120.aspx No further action will be taken on these issues until the contractual dispute between PCD and the turnkey contractor is resolved. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2114.aspx Tue, 17 May 2005 16:26:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2114.aspx Communities vow to take own measures if demands are not met. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2113.aspx Tue, 17 May 2005 13:40:52 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2113.aspx Asian Development Bank Compliance Review Panel releases draft report in response to Sri Lanka Southern Transport Development Project complaint. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2108.aspx Mon, 09 May 2005 16:24:46 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2108.aspx BIC welcomes Richard Mahapatra, South Asia Regional Coordinator at our new Delhi office http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2105.aspx Thu, 05 May 2005 17:29:22 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2105.aspx ADB urged to recognize affected communities as one of the primary target audiences of its communications policy, as done in initial drafts. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2087.aspx Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:59:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2087.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2072.aspx Mon, 18 Apr 2005 11:37:11 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2072.aspx Banks approve NT2 despite significant environmental and social costs, lack of revenue management oversight, and presence of other least-cost options. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2067.aspx Fri, 08 Apr 2005 16:33:07 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2067.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2066.aspx Thu, 07 Apr 2005 14:50:03 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2066.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2058.aspx Thu, 31 Mar 2005 13:04:07 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2058.aspx Project area experiences flooding as ADB staff attends the meeting. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2051.aspx Fri, 25 Mar 2005 15:19:10 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2051.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2002.aspx Tue, 22 Mar 2005 11:33:17 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.2002.aspx Panel heeded Government’s recommendation that “recent torrential rains” and upcoming local elections will hamper investigation. Villagers say Panel was misinformed. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1985.aspx Tue, 15 Mar 2005 16:55:35 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1985.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1967.aspx Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:55:01 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1967.aspx Did increased IMF and US bilateral aid to Pakistan after the September 11th attacks constitute "strategic lending," rewarding a client state for support in the War on Terrorism? And if so, what is the mechanism by which strategic aid is disbursed given today’s global development architecture? This paper sets out to answer these questions by using Pakistan as a case study. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1965.aspx Tue, 08 Mar 2005 13:11:46 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1965.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1961.aspx Fri, 04 Mar 2005 12:22:59 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1961.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1950.aspx Tue, 01 Mar 2005 10:54:01 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1950.aspx The revision only allows stakeholders the “opportunity” to comment on large water projects, while the original policy required that all stakeholders agree on the project's justification. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1943.aspx Fri, 25 Feb 2005 15:50:28 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1943.aspx People affected by the Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project protest in front of the ADB's Islamabad office against lack of consultation on the Draft Action Plan's finalization. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1928.aspx Thu, 17 Feb 2005 16:36:11 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1928.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1903.aspx Thu, 10 Feb 2005 13:17:08 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1903.aspx Flash flood damages irrigation infrastructures, houses, crops, and tube wells. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1891.aspx Tue, 08 Feb 2005 16:13:23 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1891.aspx Kuroda promises to continue to pursue the “aggressive Reform Agenda” the Asian Development Bank has undertaken to make it a more effective development organization. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1884.aspx Thu, 03 Feb 2005 11:14:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1884.aspx NGOs cite flaws in project's environmental impact assessment and social development plan. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1879.aspx Tue, 01 Feb 2005 11:52:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1879.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1878.aspx Fri, 28 Jan 2005 12:41:52 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1878.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1872.aspx Tue, 25 Jan 2005 11:01:46 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1872.aspx BIC would like to express its profound regret for those who were affected by the Tsunami on December 26th and offer its solidarity to those who have survived and are working in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1867.aspx Fri, 14 Jan 2005 16:03:03 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1867.aspx Compliance Review Panel has 14 days to prepare the Terms of Reference, methodology, and time frame of the review. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1852.aspx Mon, 10 Jan 2005 16:53:21 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1852.aspx Working Paper is now available for public comment for a 30-day period, after which it will be revised and submitted to the Board as a Restricted Paper for final approval. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1853.aspx Thu, 23 Dec 2004 16:56:53 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1853.aspx Mission aimed to assess Burma's economic situation. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1851.aspx Mon, 20 Dec 2004 16:46:04 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1851.aspx Assures CSOs the opportunity to comment, but did not provide any timeline. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1850.aspx Fri, 17 Dec 2004 17:07:25 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1850.aspx This announcement is for a 2 year full-time, renewable contract. The position will likely be based in New Delhi, India but with significant travel across the region. Deadline extended to January 31. Details at <a href="http://www.bicusa.org/bicusa/issues/misc_resources/628.php">BIC's Employment page</a> http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1847.aspx Thu, 16 Dec 2004 11:41:29 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1847.aspx The Working Paper will be available for public comment for a 30 day period after which it will be revised and submitted to the Board as a Restricted Paper for final approval. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1849.aspx Tue, 14 Dec 2004 18:01:52 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1849.aspx Asian Development Bank's South Asia Regional Department has to date not made progress on finalizing the draft "Action Plan" developed after approval of the Chashma Inspection Panel Report by its Board in August 2004. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1846.aspx Tue, 14 Dec 2004 16:51:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1846.aspx Twelve Indian organizations reject the World Bank's proposal to use less rigorous national laws and policies to govern its projects. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1845.aspx Tue, 14 Dec 2004 13:39:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1845.aspx BIC's Southern Development Transport Project (STDP) page reports developments on local communities' case under the ADB Accountability Mechanism. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1842.aspx Mon, 13 Dec 2004 17:50:31 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1842.aspx Information brochure can now be read in eight languages, and the CRP Operating Procedures in two. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1796.aspx Mon, 06 Dec 2004 14:37:16 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1796.aspx Critics point out dam proposal violates six of seven recommendations made by the IUCN-commissioned World Commission on Dams report. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1783.aspx Thu, 02 Dec 2004 16:16:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1783.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1774.aspx Tue, 30 Nov 2004 15:35:26 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1774.aspx Civil society organizations send joint comments to the ADB on the second draft of its Public Communications Policy. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1772.aspx Mon, 29 Nov 2004 14:57:39 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1772.aspx Japan's former Vice Minister of Finance and the force behind the Miyazawa initiative has been unanimously elected as the new ADB President. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1769.aspx Fri, 19 Nov 2004 10:43:01 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1769.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1760.aspx Tue, 16 Nov 2004 14:29:53 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1760.aspx After a series of 13 face-to-face consultations, the ADB released a second draft of its Public Communications Policy (PCP) on October 26, 2004. This draft is open for comments until November 24th. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1714.aspx Wed, 03 Nov 2004 13:04:05 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1714.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1716.aspx Tue, 02 Nov 2004 12:42:39 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1716.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.111.aspx Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:53:28 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.111.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1633.aspx Tue, 21 Sep 2004 15:28:39 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1633.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1630.aspx Thu, 16 Sep 2004 15:19:49 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1630.aspx Privatization plans for 250 regional water bodies are being developed. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1567.aspx Fri, 13 Aug 2004 13:19:20 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1567.aspx Request comes after dissatisfaction with delay in the problem solving phase. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1566.aspx Thu, 12 Aug 2004 15:29:40 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1566.aspx World Bank influence on Indian development policy condemned http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1565.aspx Wed, 11 Aug 2004 14:28:17 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1565.aspx NGOs call for release of additional documentation and a 60 day delay to ensure a fair and informed process http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1558.aspx Thu, 05 Aug 2004 10:44:59 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1558.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1553.aspx Mon, 02 Aug 2004 10:01:51 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1553.aspx ADB calls Samut Prakarn project an “error” http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1543.aspx Sat, 31 Jul 2004 11:26:54 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1543.aspx Newly formed Complaince Review Panel to monitor implementation of recommendations http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1536.aspx Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:42:48 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1536.aspx An article from The Daily Star, Dhaka, highlights civil society criticism of ADB policies ... http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1524.aspx Tue, 20 Jul 2004 11:02:27 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1524.aspx Rejected in 2001, complaint succeeds under new Inspection Mechanism. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1516.aspx Tue, 06 Jul 2004 11:09:59 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1516.aspx Mekong Watch has several misgivings about the Project's Environmental Impact Assessment. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1514.aspx Fri, 02 Jul 2004 11:45:59 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1514.aspx However, the Inspection Requestors will not be able to see the report for several weeks. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1484.aspx Fri, 11 Jun 2004 17:02:47 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1484.aspx This is the second time this group has requested an investigation of the Southern Transport Development Project. Their earlier request filed under the ADB's previous Inspection Function was denied. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1483.aspx Fri, 11 Jun 2004 16:32:37 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1483.aspx The report indicates no progress with regards to the remedial measures http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1482.aspx Fri, 11 Jun 2004 14:32:49 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1482.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1463.aspx Fri, 28 May 2004 15:04:38 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1463.aspx For the first time ever the ADF fund will provide a grants facility, allowing up to 21 percent of its operations to be in the form of grants. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1457.aspx Mon, 17 May 2004 16:36:21 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1457.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1455.aspx Thu, 13 May 2004 16:08:09 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1455.aspx Thai government has not informed the ADB how they want to proceed on the project. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1439.aspx Fri, 30 Apr 2004 16:08:34 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1439.aspx The tribunal conducted an independent assessment of the project's design and implementation and suggested reparations for those harmed. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1438.aspx Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:55:03 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1438.aspx The Panelists have shared a draft report of their findings with the Inspection Requesters and ADB management for their comments. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1437.aspx Fri, 30 Apr 2004 11:51:11 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1437.aspx Prior to its departure, DC-based NGOs met the delegation to stress the need for affected communities have an opportunity to influence the project's outcome and use of revenue. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1435.aspx Thu, 29 Apr 2004 14:29:58 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1435.aspx NTPC has released the first two chapters of the project's Environmental Assessment and Management Plan. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1434.aspx Thu, 29 Apr 2004 13:26:08 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1434.aspx This is the second TA grant that the ADB has provided the Government of Laos for preparatory work on the Nam Theun 2 project http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1433.aspx Thu, 29 Apr 2004 12:38:57 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1433.aspx The ADB will be accepting comments on the draft procedures until April 29, 2004 http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1384.aspx Mon, 05 Apr 2004 11:16:34 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1384.aspx This report presents the findings of a fact-finding mission to the Chashma project area conducted in December 2003 http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1373.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2004 14:11:46 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1373.aspx This report shows that the ADB almost never complies with the requirements of its Anticorruption Policy to explicitly address corruption issues in its operations http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1369.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2004 17:19:43 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1369.aspx In the past, civil society groups have lobbied donor countries to use the Asian Development Fund (ADF) replenishment negotiations as an opportunity to get the ADB committed to reforms. http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1367.aspx Mon, 15 Mar 2004 15:45:41 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1367.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1342.aspx Fri, 05 Mar 2004 18:23:36 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1342.aspx http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1315.aspx Thu, 19 Feb 2004 16:31:14 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1315.aspx The letter includes the findings of an NGO fact-finding mission to the project site conducted in November 2003 http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1260.aspx Tue, 03 Feb 2004 14:23:28 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1260.aspx This is the third time that the World Bank has delayed the final US $150 million tranche to the Government of Indonesia http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1181.aspx Fri, 28 Nov 2003 18:08:49 GMT http://bicusa.org/en/Article.1181.aspx