MAY 2003
NGOs Advise ADB on Procedures for Revamping Disclosure Policy

The Bank Information Center and 54 civil society organizations from different parts of the world have urged the Asian Development Bank "to ensure meaningful civil society participation" as it begins a reviews of its Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information Policy.

The ADB has yet to officially announce the start of its disclosure policy review, but sources have indicated that it will begin this summer. The Bank has formed a high-level internal steering group on the review process that will hold a second meeting on May 27.

A multi-step process was recommended in a letter prepared by the Bank Information Center in Washington, D.C., and signed by more than 50 organizations. The letter dated April 29 begins with the suggestion that the ADB should announce its intentions to conduct a review and invite general comments for a period of 90 days.

During the 90-day period, the Bank also should hold face-to-face consultations with a wide variety of interested parties, the letter suggests.

Based on this outreach, the letter continues, the Bank should prepare a draft policy that would be subject to a second 90-day review period. Again, a series of consultations, at least six face-to-face consultations are recommended.

The final draft that goes to the board should be disclosed simultaneous with its transmission to the executive directors for a final decision. The staff also should prepare and release a summary of the public responses and the staff responses.
The NGOs also recommend that the ADB establish a working group, including members from outside the Bank, to establish the parameters of the consultations.

Click here to see the BIC letter.

by Toby McIntosh

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