Our Mandate
The Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) is the independent accountability 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
CHANGES IN CAO'S WORK DUE TO COVID-19
Case Update
Call for Expressions of Interest - Deadline August 2, 2021
July 19, 2021 - Parties involved in the CAO Uzbekistan/Indorama Kokand Textile case, currently participating in a dispute resolution process, agreed to jointly hire an international expert tasked with developing a methodology for monitoring labor practices in a cotton supply chain, accompanying the monitoring process, and analyzing results. If you are interested, please review the Terms of Reference in English and Russian (which include the selection criteria and application process) and apply by sending your application to Tatsiana Bialiayeva (mediationcao@gmail.com) and Johannes Schreuder (Johannes.schreuder@peacenexus.org) by August 2, 2021Terms of Reference in English and Russian
New CAO Policy: Transitional Arrangements for CAO Cases
July 13, 2021 - Implementation of the new CAO Policy includes transitional arrangements for ongoing CAO cases. Cases received after July 1, 2021 will be processed under the new policy. Cases received prior to July 1, 2021 that are currently being processed under CAO's Operational Guidelines will transition to the new CAO Policy after concluding their current stage of the CAO process.Learn more
New CAO Policy Enhances IFC's and MIGA's Accountability
July 1, 2021 - The Boards of Directors have approved a new IFC/MIGA Independent Accountability Mechanism (CAO) Policy, which becomes effective today, July 1, 2021. The Policy enhances the accessibility, predictability, and transparency of the complaints process in projects supported by IFC and MIGA, with an increased focus on outcomes for affected communities and IFC/MIGA clients. The new CAO Policy, which builds on CAO's Operational Guidelines and incorporates recommendations from an independent external review, reflects feedback from extensive public consultations with CAO complainants, civil society, IFC/MIGA clients, development finance institutions, independent accountability mechanisms, and other stakeholders. See World Bank Group announcement.Learn more about the new CAO Policy
Monthly Case Update - June 2021
June 30, 2021 - Our end-of-month outline of cases in assessment, dispute resolution, and compliance is available via the link below. Monthly Case Update June 2021
Nigeria: CAO finalizes Compliance Investigation of Eleme Fertilizer-01 Complaint
June 22, 2021 - CAO has finalized the compliance investigation report in relation to the Nigeria - Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited complaint-01. The investigation report is currently with IFC for formal response. IFC's response is due by July 8, 2021. Learn more about the case
Brazil: CAO Accepts New Complaint Regarding IFC supported Valor Fund
June 14, 2021 - CAO has accepted a new complaint regarding IFC’s investment in Valor Venture Fund in Brazil. The complaint raises concerns about the health and saftey issue relating to the fund supported Tembici/iFood joint venture. CAO has begun an assessment of the complaint. Learn more about the case
Monthly Case Update - May 2021
May 31, 2021 - Our end-of-month outline of cases in assessment, dispute resolution, and compliance is available via the link below. Monthly Case Update May 2021
CAO Newsletter: Quarter 3, Spring 2021
This issue showcases how our dispute resolution work builds trust, the release of a monitoring report on a hydropower project in Costa Rica, the completion of an assessment of garment manufacturing project in Haiti, casework related to investments in low-cost schools in Kenya, and ongoing public consultation on the draft CAO policy.
Learn more
Jordan: Complaint Regarding IFC-supported Alcazar Energy Referred to Compliance
May 3, 2021 - CAO completed an assessment of a complaint related to the IFC-supported Alcazar Energy project in Jordan. The parties elected to resolve the issues through the CAO dispute resolution process. Following this, the complainant withdrew from the dispute resolution process, and became unreachable for CAO to understand the reasons behind the withdrawal. The complaint will now be transferred to CAO’s Compliance function for appraisal in accordance with CAO’s Operational Guidelines. The conclusion report is available in English and Arabic. Learn more about the case
Ukraine: Dispute Resolution Parties Release Joint Statement on Mediation Process
April 30, 2021 - Parties to a dispute resolutoin process—related to the IFC-supported Myronivsky Hliboproduct project in Ukraine—signed a joint statement outlining agreements reached in the process of mediation. The mediation process is facilitated by CAO and EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism. The statement is available in English and Ukrainian.Learn more about the case
Costa Rica: CAO Closes Reventazón 01 & 02 After Compliance Monitoring
April 8, 2021 – CAO has released its compliance monitoring report of an IFC investment in the Reventazón Hydropower Plant project. CAO concludes that IFC’s response is unsatisfactory, as IFC’s response only partially addressed the non-compliance findings and has not addressed associated risk of under-compensation. CAO has decided to close the case considering that IFC no longer has an investment in the Company and IFC has not committed to any further project-level actions. The monitoring report is available in English and Spanish.
Learn more about the case
Pakistan: Complaint Regarding IFC-supported Karot Hydro Referred to Compliance
April 8, 2021 - CAO has completed its assessment of a third complaint related to the IFC-supported Karot hydro project in Pakistan. During CAO’s assessment, a consensus could not be reached with regard to engaging in dispute resolution. The case has thus been referred to CAO’s Compliance team for appraisal in accordance with CAO’s Operational Guidelines. The assessment report is available in English. Learn more about this case
Argentina: CAO Accepts Complaint Regarding IFC Investment in Pan American Energy (PAE)
March 26, 2021 – CAO has accepted a complaint related to IFC’s investment in Pan American Energy (PAE) in Argentina. An assessment of the complaint is underway. The complaint and more information about the case are available at the link below. Learn more about this case
India: CAO Accepts New Complaint Regarding IFC-supported Shapoorji Pallonji
March 24, 2021 - CAO has accepted a new complaint regarding IFC’s project with Pallonji Company Limited (SPCL) in India. The complaint raises concerns about impacts on farmland to develop affordable housing units. CAO has begun an assessment of the complaint.Learn more about this case
What's New
CAO Newsletter: Quarter 3, Spring 2021
This issue showcases how our dispute resolution work builds trust, the release of a monitoring report on a hydropower project in Costa Rica, the completion of an assessment of garment manufacturing project in Haiti, casework related to investments in low-cost schools in Kenya, and ongoing public consultation on the draft CAO policy.
Learn more
Resources: Changes to CAO's Casework due to COVID-19 and Health Information
This CAO one-pager covers changes to CAO's casework due to coronavirus. It includes information from the Pan-American Health Organization on how to 'be aware, prepare, and act' with regard to COVID-19. Download here
Members of the World Bank Group