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

Uruguay - Orion

August 20, 2009 - A complaint was filed with the CAO by the Environmental Civic Assembly of Gualeguaychú, an Argentine NGO representing residents of Gualeguaychú regarding the Orion paper and pulp mill. This is the second complaint CAO has received regarding this project.Learn more about the case

Sri Lanka - Rainforest Ecolodge

August 20, 2009 - The CAO received a complaint regarding Rainforest Ecolodge, an ecotourism project in the Sinharaja Rainforest in Sri Lanka. IFC's South Asia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) is providing technical advisory services to the project. A local NGO, Save the Sinharaja Campaign, filed the complaint on behalf of residents of the Deniyaya Village. The case is under assessment. Learn more about the case

Indonesia - Wilmar

August 7, 2009 - The CAO has released its audit report of IFC's involvement in the Wilmar Group, a global agribusiness conglomerate specializing in the production and trade of palm oil. To view the audit and other reports related to this case, click on the link below. Learn more about the case

Peru - Agrokasa

July 29, 2009 - The CAO received five complaints between June 2 and July 24, 2009, regarding Agrokasa, an IFC client in Peru that grows and exports cash crops. All of the complaints raise concerns about the impacts of Agrokasa's operations on the Ica aquifer.
Learn more about the case

What's New

CAO seek for Business Development Expert

November 1 , 2009 - CAO requires the services of an expert on business development projects to help community members and a company in a locality in Nicaragua to identify alternative sources of income and employment for families. Applications by November 10, 2009 to
cao-compliance@ifc.org Terms of Reference: EnglishTérminos de Referencia: Español

CAO 2008-9 Annual Report

This year has been one of remarkable results for communities and for private sector sponsors of IFC/MIGA projects. It has also been a year in which IFC and MIGA have made significant improvements in institutionalizing responses to the CAO and enhancing their commitments to independent recourse and accountability. CAO's 2008-9 Annual Report is available for download in English and Spanish. CAO 2008-9 Annual Report