Make Your Voice Heard

The Office of the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman gives a voice to people who believe they are negatively impacted by IFC and MIGA projects. Learn about our process of independent accountability

Arne Hoel, The World Bank

Our Mandate

The Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) is the independent recourse mechanism for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The CAO responds to complaints from project-affected communities with the goal of enhancing social and environmental outcomes on the ground. Learn More

Case Update

Peru - Agrokasa audit of IFC

July 20, 2010 - CAO has released its appraisal of IFC's involvement with Agrokasa/Corporacion Drokasa and determined that an audit of IFC is merited. CAO finds it unclear whether IFC policy provisions have been applied properly and whether the IFC policy provisions provided an adequate level of protection. Learn more about this case

Indonesia - Wilmar/Palm oil audit monitoring

April 28, 2010 - CAO has released the first monitoring report of IFC's response to the Wilmar audit. Learn more about this case

Peru - Maple Energy

April 15, 2010 - CAO has accepted a complaint regarding Maple Energy, a privately-held energy company with operations in Peru. The complaint, filed on behalf of Indigenous communities in Loreto by national and international NGOs, cites a number of social and environmental concerns. Maple Energy is an IFC client. Learn more about this case

Nicaragua - NSEL Scoping Study

April 21, 2010 - Boston University's Scoping Study, commissioned to research the causes of chronic kidney disease affecting local communities in León and Chinandega, is now available for review. View the Scoping Study

Panama - Pando Montelirio Hydro

February 24, 2010 - The CAO has accepted a complaint from 16 civil society organizations in the Chiriqui province of Panama regarding IFC's Pando Montelirio project. The complainants cite a number of concerns relating to consultation, cumulative impacts, and water.Learn more about this case

Cambodia - Airport Development Project II

January 14, 2010 - The CAO has accepted a complaint regarding an airport development project supported by IFC in Cambodia. The complaint was submitted by a local NGO on behalf of 79 families who believe they have been negatively affected by the development of Sihanoukville International Airport.  See Media Statement. Learn more about this case

What's New

IFC's Phase II Policy Consultations, June-July 2010

June 2010 - Following the release of its advisory note for IFC's policy review, CAO remains engaged as IFC conducts Phase II consultations with stakeholders during June & July 2010. CAO staff have attended the consultations in Bogota (June 3), Washington (June 14), Istanbul (June 22), New Delhi (June 25), Manila (July 9), and Brussels (July 12), and are participating in IFC's upcoming thematic consultations on FIs (July 26), biodiversity (July 27), and FPIC
(July 29). Learn more

CAO's Advisory Note for IFC's Policy Update

May 13, 2010 - CAO has released its Advisory Note for IFC's policy update.  With a focus on implementation of IFC's Sustainability Framework to date, CAO conducted a portfolio review of IFC investments and an in-depth study of local stakeholder perceptions around 5 projects in the field. To read the report and its key findings, click here.Read more about the new Advisory Note