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
Mexico - Harmon Hall
February 3, 2012 - The CAO has accepted a new complaint regarding Harmon Hall, an IFC-supported English language school in Mexico. The complainants have requested confidentiality. A CAO assessment is underway to explore options for resolution of the issues raised with the parties concerned.Learn more about this case
Cameroon - Chad-Cameroon Pipeline
February 3, 2012 - The parties have agreed to engage in an CAO-facilitated dispute resolution process, and capacity building and assisted negotiations have started. CAO's Assessment Report is available in English and French, along with IFC's response.Learn more about this case
Republic of Kosovo: KEK Privatization
January 30, 2011 - At the request of the complainants, the case has been transferred to CAO's compliance function for appraisal to ascertain whether an audit of IFC's social and environmental due diligence for the project is merited. The CAO Ombudsman has concluded its involvement in the case and an assessment report is available in English and Albanian, along with IFC's response.Learn more about this case
Georgia - BTC Pipeline
January 30, 2012 - After an agreement was implemented to all the parties' satisfaction following a voluntary mediation process convened by the CAO, CAO has closed the complaint filed by residents of Vale, Georgia in 2011 regarding the BTC pipeline. CAO's assessment/conclusion report documenting the process is available in English and Georgian.Learn more about this case
Nicaragua - CAO dialogue process and research into Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
January 26, 2012 - The CAO facilitated dialogue process continues in Chinandega, Nicaragua to address the needs of affected community members and research possible causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). For more information, see CAO's Media Statement in English and Spanish.Learn more about this case
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 - 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
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
What's New
CAO Annual Report 2011
December 2011 - The CAO's 2011 Annual Report provides a review of all the cases handled during fiscal year 2011 and is available for download in English. A Spanish translation will follow shortly. See our Publications page for the complete list of CAO Annual Reports since 2001.CAO Annual Report 2011
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