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: Quellaveco Compliance Investigation of IFC
May 21, 2013 - CAO has completed its appraisal of IFC's role with regard to the Quellaveco mining concession in Peru. CAO concluded that a review of certain aspects of the project, which relate to its nature as an early equity mining investment, might better inform the application of policies to future projects. CAO's appraisal report is available at the link below.Learn more about this case
Summary of CAO Cases: May 2013
May 17, 2013 - CAO's 6-weekly summary of cases in assessment, dispute resolution, and compliance is available at the link below.CAO Case Summary May 2013
Mongolia: CAO Assessment of Oyu Tolgoi Complaint
May 17, 2013 - CAO has released its Assessment Report of the first complaint received regarding the IFC/MIGA supported Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. The parties have agreed to work with CAO's Dispute Resolution function to try to resolve the issues using a collaborative approach. CAO's Assessment report is available in English and Mongolian, along with IFC's response through the link below.
Learn more about this case
Peru: Parties agree to dispute resolution to address Minera Yanacocha complaint
May 16, 2013 - Following assessment of a complaint filed by a family on Cajamarca regarding land claims related to Minera Yanacocha, the parties have agreed to enter a dispute resolution process facilitated by CAO. CAO's Assessment Report is available in English and Spanish, along with IFC's response.Learn more about this case
India: New complaint regarding Vizhinjam Port Development in Kerala
May 16, 2013 - CAO has accepted a new complaint from local communities regarding the Vizhinjam port development in Kerala, India. This is the third complaint being handled by CAO with regard to this IFC Advisory Services project. CAO has commenced an assessment of the issues with the relevant parties.Learn more about this case
Uganda: New Complaint regarding Bujagali Hydropower Project
May 16, 2013 - CAO has accepted a new complaint from workers regarding the Bujagali Hydropower project in Uganda. This is the third complaint currently being handled by CAO with regard to this IFC/MIGA supported project. CAO has commenced an assessment of the issues with the relevant parties.Learn more about this case
Albania: Albania Hydros complaint referred to CAO Compliance
May 13, 2013 - CAO has completed its assessment of the complaint regarding IFC's involvement in the Albania Hydros project. The Complainants informed CAO that their interests would be best served by the CAO Compliance process. Hence, the complaint has been transferred to CAO’s Compliance function for appraisal. Learn more about this case
CAO workshop for Latin America & Caribbean Mediators
May 8, 2013 - CAO hosted a gathering of Latin American and Caribbean mediators in Lima, Peru in April 2013. The event was aimed at helping CAO build its capacity and strengthen its network of local mediators in the region. Read a summary of the workshop below.Learn more
Indonesia: Audit of IFC with regard to Wilmar Group closed
April 24, 2013 - CAO has released a final monitoring report of its audit of IFC with regard to Wilmar Group.
CAO finds that IFC’s commitments and actions constitute a substantial approach to addressing the conclusions reached in the CAO Audit Report and the audit is now closed.
The monitoring and closure report is available in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
CAO's Ombudsman team remains engaged with complainants and the company in Indonesia to support monitoring and implementation of agreements.Learn more about this case
Colombia: Terms of Reference for Audit of IFC with regard to Avianca
April 24, 2013 - CAO has disclosed the Terms of Reference for its audit of IFC with regard to Avianca airlines in Colombia. The audit was initiated following a complaint filed to CAO by Colombian labor unions, with the support of global trade unions, in November 2011.Learn more about this case
Kosovo: Release of CAO Audit and IFC's Response with regard to KEK Kosovo case
April 12, 2013 - CAO's audit of IFC Advisory Services with regard to Korporata Energjetike e Kosovës (KEK), Kosovo has been cleared for disclosure, together with IFC's response. The CAO audit report is available in English and Albanian, along with IFC's response.Learn more about this case
Mozambique: Release of CAO Audit and IFC's Response with regard to Mozal case
April 12, 2013 - CAO's audit of IFC with regard to its investment in Mozal, Mozambique has been cleared for disclosure, together with IFC's response. The audit report is available in English and Portuguese, with IFC's response, at the link below.Learn more about this case
India: India Infrastructure Fund Case Transferred to Compliance
April 2, 2013 - CAO has transferred the case regarding IFC's involvement in the India Infrastructure Fund for compliance appraisal after the parties did not find mutually acceptable parameters for dialogue going forward. CAO's assessment and conclusion reports are available in English and Odia, along with IFC's response, at the link below.Learn more about this case
Cameroon: New complaint regarding IFC-supported AES Sonel
April 2, 2013 - CAO has accepted a labor related complaint regarding AES Sonel in Cameroon, a power company supported by IFC. CAO has commenced an initial assessment of the issues raised with the relevant parties.Learn more about this case
Albania: New Complaint regarding IFC-supported Bankers Petroleum
March 29, 2013 - CAO has accepted a complaint from local community members regarding IFC's involvement in Bankers Petroleum in Albania. The complainants claim a number of social and environmental impacts related to Bankers' Patos Marinza oilfield. CAO has commenced an assessment of the complaint with the parties involved.Learn more about this case
Uganda: Parties Reach Framework Agreement through CAO Mediation (Agri-Vie Mubende case)
March 15, 2013 - Through a mediation process facilitated by CAO, the parties have reached agreement on a range of principles. These are captured in a Framework Agreement endorsed by their representatives in March 2013, the content of which is to remain confidential to the parties (Mubende Community representatives and NFC) and their advisors (Oxfam and Uganda Land Alliance). Aspects of the Framework Agreement the parties have agreed to make public are available in CAO's progress report, available in English, Luganda, and Runyankole. The parties will now quickly work toward a final agreement based on these principles. Learn more about this case
Honduras: Audit of IFC with regard to Corporacion Dinant
February 26, 2013 - CAO has engaged an independent panel of experts for the purposes of its audit of IFC's involvement with Corporacion Dinant in Honduras. The panel will convene in Washington DC from February 27 to March 8, 2013.
CAO Communique, DInant Audit, February 2013
Learn more about this case
In Memorium: Gamal Pasya
February 15, 2013 - CAO mourns the loss of our dear colleague and friend Gamal Pasya. Gamal worked with CAO in Indonesia for over five years, and touched us all with his generous heart, wisdom, loyalty, and commitment. He dedicated his exceptional talents to bringing about peace through the resolution of conflicts. He made a meaningful difference in the lives of communities and left an indelible mark on all those he served. At this time of loss, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, son and daughter.
CAO releases Compliance Audit Report of IFC's Financial Sector Investments
February 5, 2013 - Following clearance by the World Bank Group President,, CAO has released its compliance audit of IFC's financial sector investments, with IFC's official response. In the course of its audit, CAO travelled to 54 locations in 25 countries to conduct face-to-face interviews with IFC clients and staff related to 188 IFC FI investments. The audit team comprised four independent experts. The team based its findings on a review of IFC documents, interviews with IFC clients, staff, and staff of other development finance institutions with which IFC co-invests, and interviews with subclients. A summary of key findings, CAO's full audit report, and IFC's official response are available at the link below.
CAO Media Communique February 2013
Learn more about this case
Nicaragua: Five films documenting outcomes of CAO dialogue process
December 13, 2012 - This year, CAO commissioned a series of films to document the outcomes of a four-year dialogue process between Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited (NSEL) and ASOCHIVIDA, an association of 2,000 former sugarcane workers and their families affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua. To view the films, click the link below.Learn more and view the films
What's New
Launch of CAO's Revised Operational Guidelines
March 11, 2013 - CAO has launched its revised Operational Guidelines after a year long review and consultation period. Henceforth, CAO will be working under the revised Guidelines. A summary of comments received during the public consultation period, along with CAO's response, and the 2013 Operational Guidelines are available at the link below. Translations of the Guidelines into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, Chinese and Arabic will be available soon.Learn more about the Revised CAO Operational Guidelines
CAO Annual Report 2012
October 2012 - CAO has released its 2012 Annual Report which provides a full account of CAO's activities from July 2011 to June 2012 (Fiscal Year 2012). The report is available in English and Spanish at the link below.CAO Annual Report 2012
Members of the World Bank Group