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
Uganda - Complaints regarding Agri-Vie Agribusiness Fund
January 20, 2012 - The CAO has accepted two complaints regarding the IFC-supported Agri-Vie Agribusiness Fund. The complaint - filed by community representatives, and national and international NGOs - raises concerns about displacement in the plantation areas of New Forest Company (NFC) operations, an investee of the Fund. A CAO ombudsman assessment is underway. For information about these complaints, see: Uganda / Agri-Vie Fund-01/Kiboga and Uganda / Agri-Vie Fund-02/MubendeLearn more about these cases
Colombia - Avianca
January 19, 2011 - The CAO has accepted a complaint from national and international trade unions regarding IFC's involvement with Avianca airlines, the largest airline in Colombia. The complaint cites issues related to labor and working conditions enshrined in IFC's Performance Standard 2. An CAO ombudsman assessment is underway.Learn more about this case
Chad - New complaint regarding Chad-Cameroon Pipeline
December 23, 2011 - The CAO has accepted a complaint from Chad regarding the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline project. An ombudsman assessment is underway.Learn more about this case
Mozambique - Mozal complaint transferred to compliance
December 19, 2011 - An agreement between the parties regarding the Mozal complaint was not reached through a CAO dialogue process and the case has been transferred CAO Compliance for appraisal. A conclusion report documenting outcomes from the dispute resolution process is available in English and Portuguese at the link below.Learn more about this case
Peru - Maple Energy
CAO Ombudsman concluded its involvement in the Maple case after the complainants decided to withdraw from dialogue. A conclusion report documenting the dialogue process is available in English and Spanish. The case has been transferred to CAO Compliance for appraisal of IFC's role in the project. Learn more about this case
Peru - Audit of IFC's investments in Agribusiness in the Ica Valley
December 2, 2011 - The CAO has released its compliance audit of IFC's investments in agribusiness in the Ica Valley, Peru. The audit finds IFC actions, if it had pursued the Agrokasa III investment, inconsistent with, and in violation of, IFC’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability, Performance Standards 1, 4, 5 and 6, and IFC's Policy on Disclosure of Information. The audit will remain open and in monitoring until the CAO is assured that actions taken by IFC address the audit findings and move IFC back into compliance. CAO's audit report is available in English and Spanish, along with IFC's responseLearn more about this case
Indonesia - Wilmar Group 3rd complaint
November 23, 2011 - The CAO has accepted a third complaint regarding IFC's involvement with the Wilmar Group, a global agribusiness conglomerate specializing in the production and trade of palm oil. The complainants, including community groups, local and international NGOs, cite issues related to customary land disputes, displacement, compensation, and security concerns. A CAO Ombudsman assessment is underway.Learn more about this case
Ecuador - Pronaca
November 22, 2011 - The CAO has released its compliance appraisal of IFC's due diligence and monitoring linked to the operations of Pronaca. The CAO did not find that an audit of IFC was merited. The full appraisal report and its findings are available in English and Spanish. The case is closed with no further action.
22 de noviembre 2011 - CAO Cumplimiento ha finalizado su evaluación de la debida diligencia y monitoreo de la IFC en relación a su participación en Pronaca. La CAO concluyó que el caso no amerita un auditoría de la IFC, y cerró el caso sin ninguna medida adicional. El informe completo está disponible en español.Learn more about this case
Indonesia - PT Weda Bay Nickel
October 14, 2011 - The CAO has concluded its compliance appraisal of MIGA's guarantee for the engineering and feasibility phase of developing the PT Weda Bay Nickel project in Indonesia. The appraisal concludes that an audit of MIGA is not merited and the case is now closed. To read the full CAO appraisal report and its findings, click here.Learn more about this case
Philippines - Mindoro Resources
October 4, 2011 - The CAO has accepted a complaint regarding IFC's support for a potential mining project in Northern Mindanao Island of the Philippines. The complaint--filed by two Mawanwa communities with consent from their traditional leadership and support from local and international NGOs--voices concerns about mining exploration on ancestral lands and potential impacts to natural resources. An ombudsman assessment is underway.Learn more about this case
Republic of Kosovo: KEK Privatization
September 22, 2011 - The CAO has accepted a complaint regarding an IFC Advisory Services project in Kosovo.
The complaint raises concerns about the impacts of the possible unbundling and privatization of
the electricity distribution functions of Kosovo Energy Corporation (known as KEK), the country’s publicly owned utility. The complainants have requested confidentiality. A CAO Ombudsman assessment is underway.
Në gusht 2011, në CAO është paraqitur një ankesë e cila ngre shqetësime në lidhje me efektet sociale dhe ambjentale të privatizimit të funksioneve të furnizimit dhe shpërndarjes së energjisë elektrike të KEK. Mësoni më shumë për këtë rastLearn more about this case
Compliance audit of IFC's financial sector investments
June 30, 2011 - The CAO has completed its compliance appraisal of IFC's financial sector investments and determined that an audit of IFC is merited. The audit will focus on 63 different IFC financial intermediary projects. Full details about the scope of the appraisal, the audit process, and final project selection is described in CAO's Appraisal report. This work supercedes the CAO FI review described below on April 13, 2011. CAO Appraisal of IFC's Investment Projects in the Financial Sector, June 27, 2011
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