ADB Accountability Mechanism

04/12/2025

𝘼𝘿𝘽 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝘿𝘽-𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨

To strengthen accountability and build trust in development projects, the Office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF) conducted a three-day regional training workshop on 24–26 November 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, under its TA10320 initiative. The training targeted private sector clients from the Central and West Asia region involved in ADB-financed projects, and was organized in collaboration with the Pacific and Interregional Private Sector Operations, the Office of Safeguards, and the Private Sector Portfolio Management Division of the Private Sector Operations Department.

As ADB continues to expand its private sector portfolio, the workshop equipped participants with practical tools and proven methods to enhance grievance redress mechanisms (GRMs), manage stakeholder concerns, and resolve issues early and effectively. Through interactive sessions—including case studies, scenario-based exercises, and peer exchanges—participants strengthened their skills in problem-solving, communication, and conflict resolution.

The workshop included a dedicated module on managing retaliation risks—one of the most critical challenges in grievance handling. It was well attended, with 30 participants representing five private sector clients across six countries. The training received excellent feedback from participants.

25/11/2025

🔸Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we stand in solidarity with women and girls whose safety, dignity, and voices must be protected.

At the Accountability Mechanism, we recognize that people can only speak up when they feel safe to do so. Listening, respect, and trust-building are essential to meaningful engagement. They help shape spaces where people can safely raise concerns.

This commitment was reflected in a conversation hosted by Office of the Special Project Facilitator and ADB’s Gender Equality Division, entitled "𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯: 𝘈 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘚 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴,” with Cheryl Thomas of the Battered Women’s Justice Project. Cheryl shared experiences from landmark laws and cases, as well as initiatives across Asia and the Pacific, and reflected on the global challenges of advancing gender equality and preventing SEAH during periods of shifting policies and reduced funding.

The Q&A discussion highlighted the importance of committed government champions, strong alliances, sustainable funding, and creating environments where concerns can be raised without fear.

📷 Check out the photos below for some highlights from the brown bag session held last 22 October 2025.

14/11/2025

𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝘼𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝘿𝘽 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝘿𝘽-𝙒𝘽 𝙁𝙈𝙍𝙁 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨’ 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙨

On 10 October 2025, the ADB Accountability Mechanism’s Compliance Review Panel and the World Bank’s Inspection Panel signed a Framework Agreement for processing complaints related to projects under ADB-WB Full Mutual Reliance Framework (FMRF).

The agreement sets out the scope and general arrangements for coordinating how the complaints under FMRF projects will be handled between the accountability mechanisms of the lead and the trail institutions.

More about this update here: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/news/framework-agreement-between-world-bank-inspection-panel-and-adb-compliance-review-panel

07/11/2025

𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝘿𝘽 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨?

This short brochure answers the most common questions about the process—from who can file a complaint to how the Problem Solving and Compliance Review functions work.

Read it here:
👉 https://www.adb.org/publications/accountability-mechanism-summary

This brochure provides an overview of the ADB Accountability Mechanism, and answers frequently asked questions about it.

31/10/2025

🔷 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Last month, Ramanie Kunanayagam, ADB Accountability Mechanism’s Compliance Review Panel (CRP) Chair, joined peers from other independent accountability mechanisms at the International Climate Initiative's Independent Complaints Mechanism (IKI ICM) event on “Cooperation of Accountability and Safeguard Systems in Climate and Development Finance – Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Landscape.” The event explored how multilateral development banks and bilateral donors can work together in a changing environment while ensuring that the rights of affected communities are protected.

Ramanie also presented during a workshop titled “Regression or progression: Dealing with the changing global landscape,” alongside Evelyn Dietsche, Member of the World Bank Inspection Panel.

Learn more about the discussions here:
👉 https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/iki-media/news/cooperation-of-accountability-and-safeguard-systems/

How can multilateral development banks and bilateral donors such as the IKI work together in a changing environment without weakening the rights of those affected? This question was discussed at an expert meeting.

24/10/2025

🔷 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐃𝐁 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF) has released a publication series that shares firsthand accounts of its problem solving work on concerns raised about ADB-supported projects.

Each piece, written by OSPF staff, follows the path of complaints—from submission to the range of approaches used such as dialogue, mediation, one-on-one engagement, and other constructive methods.

These stories do not simply showcase outcomes; they show how listening, trust-building, and practical engagement have clarified issues and opened paths for working together.

Read the stories and see how problem solving creates practical, people-centered results on the ground:
👉 https://www.adb.org/publications/series/problem-solving-impact-story

Read the latest story here:
🔗 https://www.adb.org/publications/taking-less-land-ospf-solution-pakistan

This impact story highlights the importance of trust and transparency in resolving a dispute over land acquisition for a wastewater treatment plant in Punjab, Pakistan.

16/10/2025

🔷 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗗𝗕 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 ( #𝗜𝗔𝗠𝗻𝗲𝘁)!

The four-day event (6–9 October), held in Barbados, brought together 56 delegates representing approximately 23 accountability mechanisms affiliated with multilateral development banks (MDBs), international financial institutions (IFIs), and bilateral agencies—with many more participants joining virtually.

A heartfelt thank you to our hosts, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), for their warm hospitality and seamless organization, and to our co-hosts, the Inter-American Development Bank’s MICI - Trabajamos contigo para mejorar el desarrollo and IFC/MIGA’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO).

The ADB Accountability Mechanism, which currently serves as the IAMnet Secretariat, played a central role in planning and facilitating the meeting.

💡Key discussions spanned a wide range of pressing topics affecting accountability mechanism today, including:
🔸Defining and implementing accountability in the current global context
🔸Safeguarding the integrity of mechanisms amid internal and external pressures
🔸Enhancing cooperation and collaboration across mechanisms—from policy alignment and data harmonization to the use of AI
🔸Addressing retaliation and streamlining IAM systems and processes
🔸Conducting policy reviews—currently underway in seven mechanisms
🔸Exploring the intersection of accountability and climate change

In his opening remarks, CDB President Daniel M. Best highlighted that development finance is built on trust—from governments, communities, and taxpayers—and that IAM professionals are the guardians of that trust. He elaborated that by holding institutions accountable, IAMs ensure resources reach those in need, projects do no harm, communities are heard, and responsible parties are answerable when issues arise.

President Best also emphasized that IAMs are not only compliance tools but catalysts for institutional learning. Complaints highlight gaps that institutions can close, reveal systemic issues that can be addressed, and offer opportunities for course correction through accountability.

The meeting also featured a dedicated day with civil society, focusing on remedy and policy reviews. IAMs clarified that while casework can pave the way to remedy, the actual provision of remedy lies with their parent institutions, borrowers, and clients. Advocacy efforts, therefore, must be directed toward those responsible for delivering it.

As the development landscape continues to evolve, reaffirmed a shared commitment to uphold integrity, foster transparency, and strengthen collaboration among mechanisms, and to work closely with parent institutions to champion the principles of accountability.

10/10/2025

Every voice counts. 🔷

The ADB Accountability Mechanism is an independent forum where people who believe they may be affected by ADB-supported projects can share their concerns and be heard.

We listen to understand what’s happening on the ground and help turn those voices into action.

Sometimes, that means bringing everyone to the table to find practical, fair solutions together. That’s the work of our Problem Solving function, led by the Special Project Facilitator (SPF).

At other times, it means looking closely at whether ADB followed its own policies in the way a project was designed or carried out. That’s the role of our Compliance Review function, led by the Compliance Review Panel (CRP).

Because we work independently from ADB’s operations, we can look at issues objectively, help lessons turn into improvements, and make sure projects truly support the communities they aim to serve.

For 30 years, the Accountability Mechanism has been listening, learning, and helping make development fair and responsive for everyone.

Your voice matters. Learn more about how we work and how to reach us→ https://www.adb.org/who-we-are/accountability-mechanism

05/05/2024

Climate and Accountability: A Future ADB Accountability Mechanism (AM)

Learning with Partners (ADB’s Accountability Mechanism and the Accountability Counsel)
Saturday, 4 May 2024, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm (Asia/Tbilisi) Museum of Fine Arts

Imrana Jalal, ADB’s Special Project Facilitator (head of dispute resolution function) moderated a panel of experts composed of Julio Castor Achmadi, Accountability Counsel, Elisea Gozun, Chair, Compliance Review Panel (ADB), Donald Bobiash, Board Compliance Review Committee (ADB), and Rayyan Hassan NGO Forum on ADB. The discussion focused on challenges faced by the AM to remain relevant, effective and independent in dealing with all types of harms, especially harms commonly associated with climate finance.

06/01/2023

This report shares lessons from a review of a sustainable urban transport project in Georgia supported by the Asian Development Bank.

This report shares lessons from a review of a sustainable urban transport project in Georgia supported by the Asian Development Bank.