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
Guatemala: CAO Sends CIFI Investigation Report to IFC for Official Response
November 20, 2018 - CAO has finalized its investigation report of IFC’s investment in Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI) as it relates to the complaint regarding the Canbalam hydropower project in Guatemala. IFC management has 20 working days to submit a response to the investigation report.Learn more
Uzbekistan: Communique Regarding IFC-Human Rights Defenders Meeting Related to Indorama Kokand Textile and HamkorBank Case
November 14, 2018 - CAO has released a Communique regarding a meeting between IFC and local Uzbek human rights defenders related to the Indorama Kokand Textile and HamkorBank case and ongoing dispute resolution process. The meeting was convened and facilitated by CAO and the Communique was drafted jointly by IFC and the human rights defenders. The Communique is available in Uzbek, Russian, and English.Learn more
Summary of CAO Cases: November 2018
November 13, 2018 - CAO’s 6-weekly summary of cases in assessment, dispute resolution, and compliance is available at the link below.Case Summary November 2018
Albania: CAO Concludes Dispute Resolution Process Related to Complaint Regarding Bankers Petroleum Ltd.
November 13, 2018 - CAO has concluded the dispute resolution process between Bankers Petroleum, an oil and gas company in Albania, and community members residing in the vicinity of the Patos-Marinza oilfield. CAO has monitored implementation of agreements reached between the parties, and the parties will continue to engage through a community-company Dialogue Roundtable to discuss issues of concern related to the project. A dispute resolution conclusion report is available in both English and Albanian.Learn more
Honduras: CAO Concludes Compliance Monitoring Related to IFC’s Dinant Project
November 12, 2018 – CAO has released a compliance monitoring and closure report in relation to the Dinant 01, 02 and 03 cases. CAO has decided to conclude its monitoring of these cases considering that Dinant has fully repaid its loan to IFC and given that IFC proposes no further project-level action. The report is available at the links below.Learn more about the Dinant-01 caseLearn more about the Dinant-02 caseLearn more about the Dinant-03 case
CAO Newsletter: October 2018
October 31, 2018 - CAO's latest newsletter provides an update on progress made through dispute resolution in Nicaragua and Albania, the launch of CAO's 2018 Annual Report, the release of a compliance investigation related to a hydropower project in Albania, the release of CAO's new animated video in French and Spanish, and recent outreach with civil society in Kenya, among other activities. Learn more
Peru: CAO Releases Compliance Appraisal of Eleventh Yanacocha Complaint
October 29, 2017 – CAO has released a compliance appraisal report in relation to the Yanacocha-11 complaint and determined that the case does not merit a compliance investigation. The report in available in English and Spanish.Learn more
Kenya: CAO Convenes Video Conference with Civil Society Organizations as Part of Africa Outreach Initiative
October 23, 2018 - CAO held a video conference with civil society organizations in Nairobi, Kenya on October 4, 2018 as part of its outreach efforts in the Africa region. The video conference included over 30 civil society representatives, and was organized in collaboration with the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights and Hakijamii, with participation from IFC’s Country Manager and logistics support from the IFC office in Nairobi.
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CAO Launched Reflections from Practice Series
October 22, 2018 - CAO’s Dispute Resolution function has released the first two publications in a series on Reflections from Practice. The Reflections from Practice series provides guidance for CAO Dispute Resolution staff, mediators, and consultants, and informs parties about the foundational principles guiding CAO's dispute resolution work. The first two publications in this series are "Getting Started with Dispute Resolution" and "Representation". Explore the series
Uganda: CAO Concludes Dispute Resolution Process in Kiboga Regarding IFC’s Agri-Vie Fund
October 19, 2018 - CAO has concluded the dispute resolution process between New Forests Company (NFC), a UK-based forestry company supported by IFC client Agri-Vie Fund, and the Kiboga community, in Uganda. The complaint concerned issues related to the impacts of evictions and displacement in the forestry plantation area on the livelihoods of the Kiboga community. After the parties reached a final settlement agreement in May 2014, CAO monitored the parties’ implementation of the terms of the agreement through to August 2018. In the absence of any outstanding issues in relation to the complaint, the case has now been closed. A dispute resolution conclusion report is available in English and will be provided in Luganda in due course.Learn more
CAO Insights from the Field Featured in New IFC Podcast
October 16, 2016 - As part of IFC’s ‘In Their Own Words’ podcast series, CAO Dispute Resolution lead Gina Barbieri discusses engaging with communities and the different ways of helping people with Mimi Keita of IFC’s Infrastructure and Natural Resources Advisory team. The new series features candid conversations between sustainable development experts. Listen here
Ukraine: CAO Determines Complaint Regarding IFC’s Investment in Galnaftogaz Eligible
October 16, 2018 – CAO has determined that a complaint related to IFC’s investment in Galnaftogaz (GNG), a Ukrainian chain of gas stations, is eligible. An assessment of the complaint is underway. A copy of the complaint and more information about the case are available at the link below.Learn more
CAO Launches 2018 Digital Annual Report for World Bank Group Annual Meetings
October 9, 2018 - CAO's 2018 Annual Report features outcomes from our dispute resolution, compliance, advisory, and outreach activities this year. Learn about CAO’s casework in 32 countries and explore highlights from our year working with communities, companies, IFC and MIGA staff, and other stakeholders for positive environmental and social impact. CAO’s 2018 Digital Annual Report
CAO Events at 2018 World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bali
October 5, 2018 - CAO will be at the World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bali, October 8-14, 2018. During the Meetings, CAO is hosting an outreach event on October 8 for Indonesian civil society organizations, and is participating in the CSO orientation on October 9 to kick off the Civil Society Policy Forum. CAO is also co-hosting an event with the World Bank Inspection Panel, “Accountability 2030 in the Asia Region: Lessons Learned from CAO and Inspection Panel Cases and the Way Forward’ on Thursday, October 11. Learn more about the CAO-Inspection Panel event
Armenia: CAO Publishes Monitoring and Closure Report of IFC’s Investment in Lydian International
October 5, 2018 – CAO has released a compliance monitoring and closure report of IFC’s investment in Lydian International and its Amulsar gold mine project. In closing two cases related to the project, CAO found that IFC’s response to its 2017 investigation has only partially addressed compliance findings at systems-level and has not addressed project-level findings. The monitoring report is available through the links below.Learn more about the Lydian Intl3-01 caseLearn more about the Lydian Intl3-02 case
Albania: CAO Publishes Investigation of IFC’s Investment in Enso Albania
October 1, 2018 – CAO has released a compliance investigation of IFC’s investment in enso Albania and the environmental and social impacts of the enso-owned Lengarica hydropower project. The investigation finds that there were material deficits in IFC’s pre-investment review of the project, but that these have largely been corrected during supervision. The investigation also finds a number of non-compliances regarding disclosure of information, project impacts on tourism and protected areas. The investigation report in English and Albanian, and IFC’s response, are available at the link below.Learn more
Panama: CAO Determines Complaint Regarding IFC’s Advisory Services Project with Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A Eligible
September 12, 2018 – CAO has determined that a complaint related to IFC’s Advisory Services project with Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A, Panama’s state transmission company, is eligible. An assessment of the complaint is underway. A copy of the complaint and more information about the case are available at the link below.
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Ukraine: Communique regarding CAO compliance investigation of IFC's investment in Axzon/Danosha
August 29, 2018 - CAO has released a communique, available in English and Ukrainian, regarding its investigation of IFC's investment in Axzon/Danosha pig farming operations in Ukraine. A CAO team conducted a field visit to Ukraine August 20-23 as part of the investigation, which is ongoing. Learn more about the case
Togo: Parties agree to a CAO dispute resolution process regarding the second complaint related to the IFC supported Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) Project
August 21, 2018 - CAO has completed its assessment of the second complaint related to the IFC supported Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) project, which involves the development, construction and operation of a greenfield container terminal within the Port of Lomé, in Togo. The parties have agreed to engage in a voluntary dialogue process convened by CAO. The assessment report is available in English and French.Learn more
Georgia: CAO Transfers Complaint Related to the IFC & MIGA-supported Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC Hydropower Project to Dispute Resolution
August 15, 2018 - CAO has completed its assessment of the complaint related to the IFC & MIGA-supported Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC (AGL) project, which involves the development of a hydropower plant in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, in Georgia. The parties have agreed to engage in a voluntary dialogue process jointly convened by CAO and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Project Complaint Mechanism, with Asian Development Bank’s Office of the Special Project Facilitator acting as observer. The assessment report is available in English and Georgian.Learn more
Chile: CAO Publishes Terms of Reference for Alto Maipo Investigation
August 8, 2018 – CAO has published the Terms of Reference (ToR) for its upcoming investigation of IFC’s investment in the Alto Maipo hydropower project in Chile. The ToR in English and Spanish, and more information about the case, are available at the link below.Learn more about the Alto Maipo-01 caseLearn more about the Alto Maipo-02 case
Uganda: CAO Concludes Dispute Resolution Process Regarding Bujagali Hydropower Project
August 1, 2018 - CAO has concluded the dispute resolution process related to the fifth complaint received regarding the IFC and MIGA-supported Bujagali hydropower project, in Uganda. CAO has monitored full implementation of agreements reached between the parties. In the absence of any outstanding issues related to the complaint, the case has now been closed. A dispute resolution conclusion report is available in both English and Luganda.Learn more
What's New
CAO Newsletter: October 2018
October 31, 2018 - CAO's latest newsletter provides an update on progress made through dispute resolution in Nicaragua and Albania, the launch of CAO's 2018 Annual Report, the release of a compliance investigation related to a hydropower project in Albania, the release of CAO's new animated video in French and Spanish, and recent outreach with civil society in Kenya, among other activities.Learn more
CAO Launched Reflections from Practice Series
October 22, 2018 - CAO’s Dispute Resolution function has released the first two publications in a series on Reflections from Practice. The Reflections from Practice series provides guidance for CAO Dispute Resolution staff, mediators, and consultants, and informs parties about the foundational principles guiding CAO's dispute resolution work. The first two publications in this series are "Getting Started with Dispute Resolution" and "Representation".Explore the series
CAO Launches 2018 Digital Annual Report for World Bank Group Annual Meetings
October 9, 2018 - CAO's 2018 Annual Report features outcomes from our dispute resolution, compliance, advisory, and outreach activities this year. Learn about CAO’s casework in 32 countries and explore highlights from our year working with communities, companies, IFC and MIGA staff, and other stakeholders for positive environmental and social impact. CAO’s 2018 Digital Annual Report
CAO Events at 2018 World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bali
October 3, 2018 - CAO will be at the World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bali, October 8-14, 2018. During the Meetings, CAO is hosting an outreach event on October 8 for Indonesian civil society organizations, and is participating in the CSO orientation on October 9 to kick off the Civil Society Policy Forum. CAO is also co-hosting an event with the World Bank Inspection Panel, “Accountability 2030 in the Asia Region: Lessons Learned from CAO and Inspection Panel Cases and the Way Forward’ on Thursday, October 11. Learn more about the CAO-Inspection Panel event
CAO Releases Animated Video to Explain Its Work - Now in Spanish and French
September 12, 2018 - What is CAO and how do we work? CAO has released an animated video to answer these questions and introduce its work. The two-minute video is now available in English, Spanish, and French. Video: What is CAO and How Do We Work
CAO Releases Advisory Work on Supply Chains
July 17, 2018 - CAO has released an advisory series on Supply Chain Business Opportunities and Risks. CAO developed the series based on lessons from CAO cases, and inputs from external experts and IFC staff. The series comprises three memos focused on supply chain risk analysis; policies and performance standards; and voluntary standards and certification. Learn more about CAO's Supply Chain Memos
Members of the World Bank Group