ADB shares new policy to strengthen safeguard protection in Laos

(KPL) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday outlined its Safeguard Policy approved by its Board of Directors on 20 July 2009.
The policy will further strengthen procedures already in place to avoid or minimise the adverse impacts of ADB-supported projects on the environment and affected people.
The new Safeguard Policy consolidates and builds on current ADB policies on Environment, Indigenous Peoples and Involuntary Resettlement that are already applied to all ADB-supported projects in its developing member countries (DMCs) including Laos.
Representatives from more than 60 relevant central level government ministries/agencies, the private sector, international organisations and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) attended a half-day workshop held at the ADB-Laos Resident Mission.
“The Safeguard Policy is more comprehensive, but simplified, clearer, and include best practices in addressing environmental and social risks and impacts of investment projects,” said Country Director of ADB-Laos Resident Mission Gil Hong Kim.“The new policy will enhance the effectiveness, sustainability and development impact of the projects we support, as well as strengthen more generally the safeguard systems of Laos to develop its own capacity to fully manage environmental and social impacts and risks of development projects.” Mr. Kim added.
The policy ensure that ADB’s safeguards are harmonised with those of other multilateral development banks and remain relevant to the evolving needs of DMCs and private sector clients that continue to face environmental and social challenges. An innovative feature of the policy is the selective application of country safeguard systems when borrowers have the necessary capacity and requirements equivalent to ADB’s.The policy contains new provisions on biodiversity conservation, community health and safety, and physical cultural resources. It also introduces requirements for ADB’s new and innovative financing modalities that were not covered by previous safeguards adopted more than a decade ago.
Key features include emphasis on capacity development of borrowers and more attention to safeguard implementation and supervision.With the approval of the new Safeguard Policy Statement, a very extensive and highly consultative policy update process has been concluded. More than 15 multi-stakeholder workshops were conducted in the Asia and Pacific region, North America, Europe and Japan between November 2007 to 2008, and involved independent evaluations of the safeguard policies.
“ADB is fully committed to working with Governments, executing agencies, private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders to put the policy into practice” said Mr. Kim.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members-48 from the region. In 2008, it approved US$10.5 million of loans, US$811.4 million of grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to US$274.5 million.

back