Special Publications
The Coral Triangle Initiative: A View of a People by the Sea
This
photo book focuses on the CTI on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security, a multilateral undertaking of which six countries and the ADB are a part of. In particular, it highlights how the age-old traditional livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk in a project area in Calatagan, Batangas are under threat by large-scale initiatives being aggressively pushed by more dominant development actors.
Read the document 
(File size: 11.7 MB)
Initiative for Right View – Tempering Nature: The ADB Way (2011)
This booklet, which benefits from the direct input and participation of fishing communities affected by the SWIMMRP (Southwest Integrated Water Resource Planning and Management Project,) debunks claims of the project proponents that they have taken into consideration the people’s perceptions on their aspirations, well-being and risks to their livelihoods. In fact, this ADB-funded project has unwittingly promoted the further social exclusion of marginalized people. The lack of consultation with and information among affected fisherfolk, some of whom belong to the poorest sector, hounds the project. Most of them have not heard of this development plan, in particular those who would need to contribute/provide lands for the said project.
Read the document (File size: 4.66 MB)
India: Borrowing False Solutions?
August, 2012
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan for Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program for three Indian states, Goa Karnataka and Maharashtra, is claimed to bring forth massive changes in their coastal protection capacity. The $417-million project claims to implement economically viable solutions for coastal instability and protection requirements. Though on paper, the project promises to be economically, socially and environmentally viable, an in-depth evaluation of its implications and the performance of earlier versions of the same project pose a number of questions.
Read the document (File size: 0.25 MB)
God’s own abode is in peril. Chatyr-kul freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan under threat.
January, 2012
In Kyrgyz language, Chatyr-Kul Lake means “roof of all lakes” in the world. Indeed, it is situated at an altitude of more 3550 meters above sea level. Nowadays, Chatyr-Kul - one of the largest freshwater discharged lakes in Kyrgyzstan, which is protected by Ramsar Convention, is under threat.
ADB supported project – rehabilitation of regional transport corridor CAREC 1 – is passing just few meters away from the lake. If ADB will not take steps to mitigate impact of coming new road and will not support the development of the said area, Kyrgyzstan will include one more additional environmental problem in its list.
Read the document (File size: 0.34 MB)
Is ADB accountable? Evaluating the Accountability Mechanism
December 2011
Accountability is a major pillar of effective development and governance. However, even with the knowledge of this age-old wisdom, many governments and public inter-governmental institutions have been evading this very responsibility in the guise of the greater common good. This publication is a collection of a number of cases that have passed through the AM process. This recounts the missed and lost opportunities of the ADB in becoming the leader in institutional accountability and transparency among all MDBs. People have been suffering.
Read the document (File size: 2.23 MB)
Effective Accountability and Transparency*
The role of Multilateral Development Banks in Central Asia and Caucasus
December 2011
This publication takes into account the outcome of a series of dialogue in Bishkek (April 2011), Yerevan (September 2011), and Baku (October 2011) among senior government officials, parliamentarians, academicians, experts, civil society representatives and affected communities with the aim of making their respective government, as well as Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international financial institutions, more accountable and transparent in Central Asia and Caucasus Region. Read the document 
(File size: 1.5MB)
*In Russian only
Roads to Destruction
ADB’s Contradictory Roads, Biodiversity and Plantations Activities in Lao PDR or How Did You Know We Wanted Ecocide?
by Melody Kemp, April 2011
In a country like Laos where the government lacks capacity, is authoritarian, and is systematically corrupt, the onus is on organizations like the Asian Development Bank to take on a greater duty of care that goes beyond the letter of its standing guidelines. This paper takes on how ADB's projects in Laos have caused adverse impacts on the environment and ethnic families. Read more
The ADB in Burma: Behind the Scenes
By S. Bourne, April 2011
This paper examines the involvement of the Asian Development Bank in Burma. Though it has not provided loans or direct technical assistance to Burma since mid-80s, the ADB has played a major role in facilitating and mobilizing private sector investment in Burma through the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) economic cooperation program.
Read more
Forum examines five projects funded by the Asian Development Bank to determine if climate change considerations were sufficiently taken into account. Using EIA as a fundamental part of development agenda, this publication intends to show ways by which climate change could be mainstreamed in national policy development. Read more
They Drive Faster, We Walk Longer:
Women's Experiences with Involuntary Resettlement of the Highway One Renovation Project in Cambodia
March 2010
The NGO Forum has been undergoing a gender transformation process since 2007 to generate a common platform of action among Forum members and to draw their collective commitment on a shared vision of a transformative gender agenda. As part of it, three case studies were carried out in Cambodia, India and Azerbaijan to identify the impacts of ADB-funded projects on women. This publication focuses on the Highway One Project in Cambodia. Read more
The Asian Development Bank and Climate Change
A Scoping Study
May 2009
The ADB watchdog claims the initiatives of the Asian Development Bank on adaptation and mitigation on the issue of climate change are incredibly tentative compared with the gravity of the situation it has articulately described. This study attempts to appraise the performance of the ADB on its climate-related operations. Read more
A "Hands-Off Approach" to High-Risk Finance in the Midst of the Financial Crisis:
Multilateral Development Bank and Export Credit Agency Private Equity Portfolios
By Stephanie Fried, May 2009
Is the ADB contributing solutions to the climate crisis or is it going to push public money and the most vulnerable communities in the region towards greater crises? Find out more from the Forum's report on the Bank's hands-off approach to high-risk finance and it's investment in so-called "clean energy" private equity funds. Read the more
Towards the cliff?
November 2008
While the Asian Development Bank has spent nearly $130 billion in Asia and the Pacific, poverty remains a reality for hundreds of million. The ADB needs an immediate overhaul if it hopes to match even a fraction of its rhetoric with the projects and programs that it funds. Read more
The ADB and the People's Republic of China
August 2008
This primer examines the growing role of the People's Republic of china (PRC) in the operations of the Asian Development Bank. It also looks into the social and environmental impacts of ADB's involvement in the country's economic development. Read the document
Voices of the witnesses
April 2007
A compilation of statements from diverse civil society organizations, showing their dissatisfaction, frustration over the Asian Development Bank's operations for the past 40 years. Read more
Four Decades of Crisis
April 2007
This foldout contains a critique on the hypocrisy of the Asian Development Bank when it comes to its involvement in the issue of climate change, safeguarding the environment and the rights of affected people, and its bias towards private sector. Read more
Untold Realities
October 2006
Despite the safeguard policies of the Asian Development Bank, local people have been facing severe impacts including loss of livelihood and displacement. The recent independent evaluation on the Safeguards revealed that current practice at the ADB is falling below international best practice and reasonable expectations. Read more
Snapshots of ADB Disasters
September 2006
A collection of provocative photographs illustrating the adverse social and environmental impacts brought by projects funded by the Asian Development Bank. Read more
Burmese version 
Development Debacles
Hemantha Withanage, Ronald Masayda & Romil Hernandez
April 2006
A compilation of 10 briefing papers covering problematic projects funded by the Asian Development Bank in the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia. Read more
Running Dry: Does the ADB Stand for "Water for All?"
November 2005
Running Dry. Does the ADB stand for "Water for All"? Submission of the Civil, Society organisations to the ADB Water Policy Implementation Review. The document is based on the case studied prepared by the NGO Forum on ADB member organisations and Jubileesouth Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development. Read more
Read the Executive summary 
ADB and the Environment: A Monitoring Framework for the ADB's Environment Policy
June 2004
In light of the approval of the Environment Policy of the Asian Development Bank in 2003, this publication contains case studies documenting how ADB's projects have adversely affected the environment. It also provides a set of guidelines in monitoring ADB's projects. Read more