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
CAO Releases 2017 Annual Report
October 13, 2017 - CAO’s FY2017 report highlights landmark agreements reached between communities and companies through CAO dispute resolution processes in Cambodia, Chad, and Mongolia; new compliance investigations in the agribusiness, infrastructure, and mining sectors; advisory work focused on grievance mechanisms, supply chains, and learning from agribusiness projects; and CAO's outreach activities around the world. The report can be downloaded at the link below. Look out for our interactive digital report in the coming weeks.CAO Annual Report FY2017
Egypt: CAO Assessment of Third Complaint Related to IFC’s Investment in Titan Group
October 13, 2017 - CAO has concluded the assessment of the issues raised in the third complaint related to IFC’s investment in Titan Group to support and expand its Egyptian operations through Titan's holding company Alexandria Development Limited (ADL). Due to lack of agreement between the parties on pursuing a dispute resolution process under the auspices of the CAO’s Dispute Resolution function, CAO has referred the complaint to CAO’s Compliance function for appraisal of IFC’s due diligence. An assessment report is available in both English and Arabic.Learn more about this case
Research Analyst (Dispute Resolution) Position
October 13, 2017- CAO is advertising a new Research Analyst position with CAO’s Dispute Resolution function. All applications must be submitted through the IFC jobs website to be considered. See link below to apply.Learn more about this position
Costa Rica: CAO Releases Compliance Appraisal of Complaints Regarding the Reventazon HPP
October 13, 2017 - CAO releases a compliance appraisal report in relation to IFC's investment in the Reventazon hydropower project in Costa Rica. This appraisal was conducted in response to two complaints from land owners claiming to be negatively affected by the project. CAO has decided that an investigation was merited in relation to the issues raised by the complainants around the land acquisition process. The appraisal report in English and Spanish, and more information about the case, are available at the link below.Learn more about this case
CAO Approach to Responding to Concerns of Threats and Incidents of Reprisals
October 10, 2017 – CAO's Approach to Responding to Concerns of Threats and Incidents of Reprisals in CAO Operations is now available. The Approach provides practical guidance to CAO staff and consultants on how to handle situations involving threats and reprisals targeting individuals that have engaged, or are seeking to engage, in a CAO process. The Approach is set to become fully operational by the end of December 2017.
Learn more about the Approach here
Peru: CAO Assessment of Tenth Complaint Related to IFC’s Investment in Yanacocha
September 25, 2017 - CAO has concluded the assessment of the issues raised in the tenth complaint related to IFC’s investment in Yanacocha, in Cajamarca, Peru. Due to lack of agreement between the parties on pursuing a dispute resolution process under the auspices of the CAO’s Dispute Resolution function, CAO has referred the complaint to CAO’s Compliance function for appraisal of IFC’s due diligence. An assessment report is available in both English and Spanish.Learn more about this case.
Kenya: CAO Accepts Fourth Complaint Related to IFC's Support of the Expansion of Bidco Africa
September 25, 2017 - CAO has accepted a fourth complaint in relation to IFC's investment in Bidco Bev & Det. to support the construction and operation of new facilities to expand the company’s production capacity in Kenya. The complaint concerns unfair labor practices. CAO found the complaint eligible for further assessment in July 2017 and has initiated its assessment. More information about the case is available at the link below.Learn more about this case.
Summary of CAO Cases: September 2017
September 26, 2017 - CAO’s 6-weekly summary of cases in assessment, dispute resolution, and compliance is available at the link below.CAO Case Summary September 2017
Chile: CAO Accepts Second Complaint Related to IFC's Support to Hydroelectric Facilities
September 25, 2017 - CAO has accepted a second complaint in relation to IFC's investment in Alto Maipo SpA to support the construction of two run-of-the-river hydroelectric facilities in Chile. CAO found the complaint eligible for further assessment in August 2017 and has initiated its assessment. A summary of the complaint (in Spanish) and more information about the case are available at the link below.
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Bangladesh: CAO Concludes Dispute Resolution Process Related to United Ashuganj Energy Limited
September 15, 2017 - CAO has successfully concluded a dispute resolution process related to IFC’s investment in United Ashuganj Energy Limited. The complaint, which was filed by local residents, raised concerns regarding noise pollution and storm water management. The parties reached agreement on a series of actions to address the concerns raised. CAO monitored the implementation of the agreement for a period of six months, as agreed by the parties, and closed the case after the parties confirmed that the complaint issues had been resolved to their satisfaction. The CAO Conclusion Report (in English and Bangla) and more information about the case are available at the link below.
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Georgia: Complaint Regarding South Caucasus pipeline
September 13, 2017 – CAO has accepted a complaint regarding working conditions at the Vale site of the South Caucasus pipeline in Georgia. MIGA is actively considering providing a guarantee to the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) in respect of SGC’s investment in the Trans-Anatolian pipeline (TANAP). According to MIGA, the expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline is considered an associated facility to TANAP. An assessment of the case is underway with relevant parties.
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What's New
CAO Event: WBG Annual Meetings 2017 - The Role of Effective Mediation in Achieving Sustainable Development
October 16, 2017 – At this year's Annual Meetings, CAO hosted a discussion focused on the use of mediation in development disputes, with views from the private sector, civil society, and mediation professionals. The discussion included a short film about a CAO mediation process in Nicaragua. Learn more about the event and panelists
CAO Releases 2017 Annual Report
October 13, 2017 - CAO’s FY2017 report highlights landmark agreements reached between communities and companies through CAO dispute resolution processes in Cambodia, Chad, and Mongolia; new compliance investigations in the agribusiness, infrastructure, and mining sectors; advisory work focused on grievance mechanisms, supply chains, and learning from agribusiness projects; and CAO's outreach activities around the world. The report can be downloaded at the link below. Look out for our interactive digital report in the coming weeks.
CAO Annual Report FY2017
Nicaragua: Short Film - Building Hope and Health Through Dialogue
October 11, 2017- This 10 minute film depicts the positive outcomes of a CAO mediation process in Nicaragua between a large sugar producer, Nicaragua Sugar Estates Ltd (NSEL) and former workers and local community members affected by chronic kidney disease. The film captures the diverse voices and perspectives of key stakeholders involved in the dialogue process, and highlights key lessons and challenges. More information about this case is available here.Short Film - Buidling Hope and Health Through Dialogue in Nicaragua
CAO Newsletter: October 2017
October 11, 2017 - CAO's latest newsletter takes a look at labor as an emerging driver in compliance cases, progress reached through dispute resolution in Bangladesh and Egypt, a new compliance investigation related to a gold mine development in Armenia, and outreach in West Africa, amongst other updates.
CAO Newsletter - October 2017
Video: Introduction to the Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs)
August 8, 2017 - This short video, which was produced by the Independent Accountability Mechanisms Network (IAMnet), provides an overview of the role of the IAMs in providing recourse for people affected by projects supported by international financial institutions around the world. The video is available in English, French, and Spanish.
Video: IAMs : Promoting Citizen Driven Accountability for Sustainable Development
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Members of the World Bank Group