[Newsletter Contents]

Three Banks, Three New Initiatives
Development Agencies Announce New Plans Re: WCD, ADB, AfDB, and WB engage stakeholders in reviewing past, moving forward

Following the launch of Dams and Development, at least three international financing institutions have initiated review processes to assess the Commission's findings and recommendations.

Asian Development Bank President, Mr Tadao Chino, in a letter to the WCD Chair, Professor Kader Asmal announced that the ADB has hosted a regional workshop in February 2001 to discuss implications of the report for the Bank with representatives from its member states in Asia.

Mr. Chino also indicated that the Commission's recommendations will be reviewed in terms of the Bank's operational guidelines. "We note that although dams have been the vehicle for the WCD's work, the findings are applicable to many of ADB's major infrastructure projects. "I share your view that publication of Dams and Development is only the end of the beginning. We have listened as the Commission has told its story and accept that future progress is 'up to us'."

The African Development Bank has welcomed the Commission's report as "a major milestone in the assessment of economic technical and environmental performance of large dams."

The AfDB announced on 26th January 2001 that in response to the WCD report it plans to incorporate new criteria and guidelines in the development of the Bank's technical guidelines for its policy on Intergrated Water Resource Management. The AfDB also participated in the final meeting of the WCD Forum that was held in Cape Town on 25 ­ 27 February 2001.

The World Bank began a formal dialogue on the WCD report during the meeting of its Board in mid January.

It then consulted member states in preparation for a full discussion of the report before its Committee on Development Effectiveness in mid-February.

The recommendations of the WCD report are expected to inform the World Bank's new Water Sector Strategy as well as the review of its guidelines on resettlement and displacement.

In response to a query from an association of anthropologists, on February 23, 200.

International Finance Corporation Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman Meg Taylor wrote, "With regard to the World Commission on Dams, the report has been widely distributed and discussed. We agree that this report provides important guidance for the future of impacted communities, governments and financial institutions on the construction of dams. Our office, through its advisory role, encourages the IFC to use the WCD report as a guide for future projects."