International development projects — including dams, transmission lines, and mining — promise economic growth. Too frequently, these projects cause unforeseen harm to the very communities they claim to help.
Eighty years after the founding of the World Bank Group, the institution is finally poised to ensure justice for communities that are harmed by its development projects. This year, the Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) is expected to release its first-ever policy on remedy and responsible exit, a significant step after decades of advocacy by CIEL, civil society partners, and affected communities.
The policy is a landmark opportunity for the World Bank to align its actions with its responsibilities under international law and its own development mandate by ensuring that when harm is caused, the Bank will contribute to remedy.
A draft of this framework released in 2023 failed to recognize this responsibility or commit the Bank’s resources and internal differences led to months of delay. Despite these setbacks, CIEL coordinated a coalition of civil society advocates to closely engage with the IFC and push for a stronger policy.
This year, CIEL met one-on-one with World Bank President Ajay Banga, urging him to prioritize remedy for the communities most impacted by the Bank’s policies, and we are optimistic that our advocacy will be heeded. While President Banga has focused on expanding the Bank’s funding, we emphasized the urgent need to ensure accountability and justice.
The final policy could be just weeks away, with all eyes on the Bank’s Board as it makes its decision. CIEL remains committed to advocating for a remedy that guarantees justice for those harmed by development projects, and we will not accept
anything less.