Two virtual meetings to learn about the world of the IFIs, their accountability mechanisms, and share useful tools with feminist organizations in the region.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The international financial institutions -IFIs- are one of the most important actors for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in terms of project financing. However, it is necessary for the IFIs to have Gender Policies and mainstream the gender perspective in the design, development and execution of the projects they finance, and consider the gender-differentiated impacts they cause.
For this reason, we launched two virtual meetings in which we will learn about the IFIs and share useful tools for organizations made up of diverse and dissident feminities and identities to build capacity to monitor the projects financed by them.
In the first meeting, we will get closer to the world of the IFIs and their accountability mechanisms. It will take place on Tuesday, November 10, at 4:00 p.m. Argentina.
In the second meeting, we will provide tools to obtain information and monitor projects financed by development financial institutions. It will be held on November 17 at 4:00 p.m.
Today, October 28, the Argentine Chamber of Deputies approved the bill to enter our country into the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Thus, the incorporation of Argentina as a Non-regional Member to the bank is made effective.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
On September 3, the Argentine Senate approved the bill for the entry of the Argentine Republic to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank -AIIB-. The approval of the law was carried out today, October 28, in the Chamber of Deputies by 235 positive votes and 4 negative votes.
The management for Argentina to form part of the Bank began in the first Forum ‘One Strip and One Route for International Cooperation’ held in 2017, in which the previous government management affirmed the country’s intention to be part of the AIIB and the The Bank’s Board of Directors approved the admission of Argentina to the Institution.
The Asian Bank was born in 2015 at the initiative of China and began operating in January 2016. It has 102 members from different regions of the world. AIIB is a multilateral financial institution and, between completed and ongoing projects, has already financed 138 infrastructure projects.
For Argentina, joining the AIIB means an additional alternative to access financing for infrastructure works through a new multilateral organization. However, although it has been proposed as a different alternative to Western multilateral banking, the AIIB does not escape the logic, operation and even institutional structure that characterizes institutions such as the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the Inter-American Development Bank. . In this sense, from civil society, criticisms and questions have been raised regarding the transparency, accountability and environmental sustainability of the projects financed by the bank, which should be taken into account by Argentina when receiving financing of this institution.
More information
- Argentina, one step away from becoming a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – Fundeps
- Argentina-China: cooperate in adverse times – Fundeps
- Are the brothers united ?: Profiling the Sino-Argentina relationship in the government of Alberto Fernández – Fundeps
- The role of the AIIB in the New Green Silk Road – Fundeps
Contact
Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
The process of modernizing the IDB’s environmental and social policies began in January of this year with the first stage of face-to-face and virtual public consultations in the different countries. In Argentina, the face-to-face consultation was held in March in Buenos Aires and the process for submitting comments ended in mid-April. From Fundeps, we prepared and presented to the IDB a document with comments to the MPAS from a gender perspective. In addition, with more than 50 civil society organizations in the region, we sent the IDB a document with recommendations to the MPAS.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
In mid-July, the IDB published the second draft of the MPAS and began the second stage of virtual consultations for a period of 30 days. In this second stage of consultations, we sent a new document with comments on the second draft of the MPAS from a gender perspective.
The process of modernizing the Bank’s environmental and social policies ended on September 16 when the IDB’s Board of Executive Directors approved the new Environmental and Social Policy Framework -MPAS-. From now on, the IDB begins a period of one year to prepare clients for the implementation of the new framework.
With the new MPAS already approved, it is pertinent to analyze which have been the main modifications incorporated during the process, based on the intervention and active participation of an important group of civil society organizations in the region.
Thus, according to the analysis carried out by the Bank Information Center, the main modifications incorporated in the new Framework have been, in part, the product of the recommendations and suggestions made by the CSOs that make up the Working Group on the IDB. In general terms, one of the main changes in the MPAS Political Declaration stands out as the Bank’s commitment to improve stakeholder participation in accordance with the obligation to respect the right of access to information, participation and justice in environmental issues consistent with the principles of the Escazú Agreement.
Another positive point is the incorporation of the principle of “doing good beyond causing harm” which implies increasing the benefits of sustainable development by asking the borrower to report how the project design will improve the environment and the social issue. In addition, the Bank will carry out its own due diligence taking into account the commitment, history and capacity of the borrower in the development and implementation of the financial operation.
In terms of supervision and monitoring, in the event of noncompliance with social and environmental performance standards, the IDB will work with the borrower by providing technical assistance and greater monitoring of the Bank and stakeholders to achieve compliance with the standards of MPAS performance. On the other hand, regarding the complaint and accountability mechanisms, the Bank added a new provision to the MPAS in which it undertakes not to tolerate any type of retaliation against those who express their opinion and / or opposition to a project financed by the IDB. Thus, a complaint mechanism is established at the project level, in which the borrower must take into account physical, sensory, and cognitive needs of the people who participate.
An important addition to the new MPAS is the exclusion list of activities consistent with the commitments adopted by the IDB to address climate change, that is, it will not finance activities that involve the exploration of oil and gas or the production of energy from the use of the Coal.
Main additions to performance standards
General and gender modifications are highlighted in the Performance Standards (ND), namely:
- PS 1 Evaluation and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts: must be applied to all projects financed by the IDB. In addition, the borrower must consider risks and impacts related to human rights, gender, natural hazards, and climate change. In identifying risks and impacts, the borrower has to consider the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental and social impacts of the project. It must also identify the various historically disadvantaged cross-cutting groups in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as women, people of diverse sexual and gender orientation, people with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and indigenous peoples, and implement measures to avoid differentiated impacts on them. The description of the types of risks that the standard makes is highlighted, since by mentioning each of the possible risks, it helps to make them visible and makes the borrower responsible for taking action in this regard.
- PS 2 Work and Working Conditions: special measures for protection and assistance were incorporated and to address violence, harassment, intimidation and exploitation towards women and people with different sexual orientations and gender identity, people with disabilities, children and migrant workers . In addition, the borrower has the obligation to provide a grievance mechanism for workers in which they can express their concerns and so that they can make complaints of sexual and gender-based violence. On the other hand, this standard, despite the recommendations made, is narrated from an androcentric perspective that does not integrate the needs of girls, adolescents, women and LGTTTBIQ + people. This highlights the lack of a gender perspective that is transversal to all performance standards.
- PS 3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention: greater emphasis is placed on the mitigation hierarchy and the “polluter pays” principle. The concept and practice of the circular economy is also recognized. On the other hand, this norm recognizes the disproportionate impact that pollution has on women, children, the elderly, and the poor and vulnerable, however, it continues without making reference to norm 9 on gender equality.
- PS 4 Community Health and Safety: includes the requirement for the borrower to perform a more detailed analysis of the risk assessment and make adjustments to prevent injuries and illnesses when there are risks that may be adverse to the health, safety and well-being of the people. Regarding gender, the standard refers to PS 9 regarding the requirements to address the risks of sexual and gender-based violence in cases of communal conflict and influx of external workers.
- PS 5 Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement: in the case of this rule, there is inconsistency with respect to the concept of involuntary resettlement found in the glossary and the one described in the rule. The definition of the glossary is the product of the recommendation made by CSOs where it is defined as “involuntary resettlement when the people affected by the project do not have or cannot exercise the right to reject the acquisition of land or restrictions on the use of land that resulting from a physical or economic displacement ”, on the other hand, in this PS it is defined as“ involuntary when the people affected by the project do not have the right to reject the acquisition of land… ”. On the other hand, the recognition of women as owners in the event of displacement has been an advance. Another limitation in the regulation is that it should not be limited to considering the requirements related to Indigenous Peoples, gender equality and stakeholder participation in accordance with PS 7, 9 and 10, but must include them.
- PS 6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources: highlights that PS 1’s risk and impact identification process must consider project-related cumulative impacts on biodiversity and the ecosystem and identify any significant residual impacts . In addition, it provides a more complete definition of critical habitat as it includes legally protected areas or internationally recognized areas of high biodiversity value. Regarding the issue of the gender perspective, this standard continues to require its mainstreaming and the incorporation of the reference to PS 9.
- PS 7 Indigenous Peoples: is aligned with internationally recognized standards. In addition, it adds that the borrower must respect the rights of indigenous peoples in accordance with national legislation, international law, or indigenous legal systems. On the other hand, in accordance with participation and consent, the requirement is included to use indigenous consultation and participation protocols to ensure their representation as well as that of indigenous women and people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. Also, in the evaluation and documentation of the resources of the indigenous communities affected by a project, it is required that it be inclusive in gender and consider the role of women in the management and use of resources.
- PS 9 Gender Equality: the term Gender Violence was replaced by a more comprehensive and comprehensive term: Sexual and Gender Violence. The recognition that unpaid care work falls on women is highlighted, which hinders the achievement of gender equality and the economic empowerment of women. Another point to note is that the borrower should evaluate the project for potential gender-based impacts and risks that disproportionately affect women, girls, and sexual and gender minorities, and if risks and impacts are identified, the borrower should conduct a Gender Analysis as part of environmental and social due diligence. On the other hand, regarding consultations, the borrower is required to identify and address the obstacles faced by women and people of different sexual orientation and gender identities, ensuring equitable participation.
- PS 10 Stakeholder Participation and Disclosure of Information: the new PS 10 is consistent with the implementation of rights of access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making as well as access to environmental justice of the Escazú Agreement. Like PS 1, this rule should be applied to all projects financed by the Bank. Regarding gender, the incorporation of PS 9 is considered a great advance in mainstreaming the gender perspective.
The balance that can be made with respect to the new IDB Environmental and Social Policy Framework, compared to the initial version proposed by the Bank at the beginning of the review process, could be considered quite positive, since it is widely incorporated of the recommendations made by CSOs to MPAS during the consultation process. This, despite the shortcomings and problems presented by the public consultation process carried out by the Bank and which was repeatedly highlighted by CSOs in the region as a necessary aspect to improve.
It remains to be seen whether the positive changes introduced in the new MPAS will effectively result in a strengthening of the institution’s social and environmental standards, a necessary issue due to the context of weakening environmental and social standards that the region is going through, and the challenges and threats looming in this regard in a context of post-pandemic Covid-19 economic reactivation. In this sense, the way in which this new framework is implemented and how its application will work in practice will be key. In this regard, it is a priority for the Bank to improve the way in which it engages and relates to civil society and affected communities, and makes them active participants in the process of implementing the new environmental and social framework.
More information
- Environmental and Social Policy Framework – IDB
- Comments on the second draft of the IDB Environmental and Social Policy Framework, from a gender perspective – Fundeps
- We make comments and observations on the IDB’s Environmental and Social Policy Framework from a gender perspective – Fundeps
- We participate in the consultations of the new IDB Environmental and Social Policy Framework – Fundeps
- Analysis of the main improvements of the IDB’s Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF) – Bank Information Center
Author
- Sofia Brocanelli
Contact
- Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
The V Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held virtually on this occasion, focused mainly on the vulnerabilities that were deepened by the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
Through a virtual meeting, the Board of Governors of the IDB elected the North American candidate, Mauricio Claver-Carone, as president of the Bank.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
On September 12, the members of the IDB Board of Governors met virtually to elect Mauricio Claver-Carone as the new president of the Bank for the next 5 years. Despite the fact that at the beginning of the election process several candidates presented themselves, the pressure exerted by the United States led the candidate Laura Chinchilla from Costa Rica to step down and later, one day before the elections, the Argentine candidate did, Gustavo Béliz. The strategy of not giving a quorum in the election planned by some of the countries in the region opposed to the North American candidate and the break with the historical tradition in the presidency of the IDB also failed.
Claver-Carone will replace Luis Alberto Moreno on October 1 of this year and will be the fifth president of the Bank. In addition, he will be responsible for the operations of the IDB Group, that is, the IDB, IDB Invest and IDB Lab. The president-elect serves as Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Senior Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Security Council of The US was also the US Representative to the IMF and Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs in the US Department of the Treasury.
For a candidate to be elected president of the IDB, they must receive the majority of the total votes of the countries that are members of the IDB (48 member countries in total) and the support of at least 15 of the regional member countries (with Canada and USA the total of regional member countries is 28). In this case, Claver-Carone won with 67% of the shareholders in total and with the support of 23 of the 28 members of the region. The president is elected by the Board of Governors, the highest authority of the IDB. Each member country of the Bank has a Governor whose voting power is proportional to the capital that his country has in the IDB. Governors are generally the finance ministers, central bank presidents, or other public officials of member countries.
From civil society organizations, last month we issued a statement to the Bank’s Governors where we expressed our concern about the presidential elections of the Institution, the rejection of the nomination of the North American candidate and the lack of opening of the election process since the participation of social organizations and communities was considered. In the statement, we also highlighted the conditions that the new president should have, such as:
- Strong commitment to multilateralism.
- Extensive experience and knowledge of the context of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
- Clear commitment to transparency, accountability and the participation of all communities and civil society in the Bank’s actions.
- Knowledge and experience in development agendas that show a commitment to the public interest, the protection and promotion of human rights, gender equality, the need to quickly face the effects of climate change and implement a sustainable development model focused on indigenous peoples and communities.
What remains to be known is whether the president-elect, Mauricio Claver-Carone, meets all the aforementioned conditions and whether he will be able to distinguish himself from the presidency of Luis Alberto Moreno, marked by the lack of dialogue with civil society and affected communities. Will Claver-Carone be capable of opening spaces for dialogue with civil society and communities as well as responding adequately to the demands of Latin American and Caribbean countries in the context of the economic, social and climate crisis they are experiencing?
More information
- Mauricio Claver-Carone, President-elect of the IDB – IDB
- Regional statement regarding the IDB presidential elections – Fundeps
- The end of a historical tradition in the presidency of the IDB? – Fundeps
Author
Sofia Brocanelli
Contact
Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
Through a statement addressed to the Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank, civil society organizations, peasant communities, indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants and people with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, we express our concern regarding the presidential elections of the Institution. In particular, we express our rejection of the decision of the United States government to present a North American candidate to preside over the Bank, and of the election process itself, which does not give rise to the participation of social organizations and communities.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
On September 12 and 13, the Inter-American Development Bank -BID- will elect a new president who will replace Luis Alberto Moreno, after 15 uninterrupted years of management. The elections will take place through an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Governors to be held virtually. Different countries in the region have nominated candidates, such as Argentina, which nominated Gustavo Béliz, and Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla. However, what is causing concern in the current IDB presidential selection process is the nomination by the US of candidate Mauricio Claver Carone. This, in addition to going against the unwritten IDB rule that the Institution must be led by a Latin American representative, threatens the decision-making capacity of the Bank’s borrowing countries, given that the United States has the highest percentage of capital and votes within the Institution.
In a context marked by the crisis of multilateralism that the world is going through; the socio-ecological and climatic crisis that has a particularly serious impact on Latin America; the historical problems of inequity, inequality and poverty in the region; and the economic, social and health impacts and repercussions that the Covid-19 pandemic is generating, the transition in the presidency of the IDB is key for the future of the region.
Therefore, today more than ever the IDB requires a qualified leader who is capable of critically positioning himself with regard to the role that the Institution plays in the face of the complex panorama that the region is experiencing, and who is predisposed and capable of promoting a model different development. In this sense, the person appointed to the presidency of the IDB should necessarily meet a series of requirements that include, among others, the following:
- A clear and express commitment to multilateralism, at a time when the legitimacy of international institutions is being questioned and attacked;
- Extensive experience and knowledge of the reality of the countries of the region and the challenges they face in the current context;
- A clear commitment to transparency, accountability and the participation of communities, indigenous peoples and civil society in the actions of the Institution;
- Knowledge and experience in development agendas that reflect a commitment to the public interest, the protection and promotion of human rights, gender equality, the need to immediately face the effects of climate change and to bet on a model truly sustainable development focused on communities and indigenous peoples.
At the same time, the statement, to which more than 50 organizations joined, emphasizes that the election must go beyond voting and open spaces for dialogue between candidates and civil society and communities. After 15 uninterrupted years under the leadership of a presidency that impregnated particular characteristics, and in many cases questionable, the management and actions of the Bank, a unique opportunity is presented to learn more about the positions and proposals of the different candidates. facing the concerns and demands of communities and civil society; and in relation to the prevailing context in the region.
We hope that the IDB will rise to the current circumstances and take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that whoever becomes president of the Bank is truly the most qualified and appropriate person to lead it in the face of the complex moment the region is going through.
More information
- Statement by Civil Society organizations, peasant communities, Indigenous and Afro-descendant Peoples and people with disabilities in the face of the election of the new president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
- The end of a historical tradition in the presidency of the IDB? – Fundeps
Contact
Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
On Tuesday, August 5, we sent the IDB a new document with observations and comments on the second draft of the Environmental and Social Policy Framework from a gender perspective.
Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic.