NGO FORUM ON ADB
OVER THE YEARS
1988
The NGO Forum on ADB was originally established as the NGO Working Group (NWG) on the ADB.
1991
1992
The first NGO Regional Consultation on ADB policies and issues was held.
1994
1995
During the 30th ADB Annual Meeting in Fukuoka, Japan, the NGO Working Group on ADB organized events under the theme "Questioning the ADB at 30: Myth vs. Reality."
1997
1998
-
The NGO Working Group on ADB was restructured into the NGO Forum on ADB, featuring an International Committee (IC) and a Manila-based secretariat.
The theme "No Aloha for ADB" was adopted during the ADB Annual Governor’s Meeting (AGM) in Honolulu, USA.
2000
2001
NGOs from Central Asia actively participated in the campaign on ADB during the 38th Annual Governor’s Meeting (AGM) in Istanbul, Turkey, strengthening regional civil society engagement and advocacy efforts on ADB-related issues.
2004
2005
The ADB introduced the Safeguard Policy Framework to address concerns over its projects' social and environmental impacts, enhance accountability, and align with international best practices. This move responded to sustained civil society advocacy, including from the NGO Forum on ADB.
2008
2005
The NGO Forum on ADB played a key role in advocating for transparency and accountability in ADB operations. During PCP consultations, the Forum and CSOs pushed for stronger information disclosure, public access to project documents, and meaningful consultations, ensuring civil society perspectives were incorporated.
2011
2015
NGO Forum on ADB actively engaged in the inaugural AIIB Annual Meeting in Beijing, China.
2016
2017
-
NGO Forum on ADB launched the Decarbonize ADB, AIIB Campaign, urging both banks to divest from fossil fuels and align with the Paris Agreement. Through advocacy, research, and engagement, the Forum pushed for policy changes to end coal, oil, and gas investments in Asia.
-
In June 2019, BWI and the NGO Forum on ADB filed a complaint with ADB over labor violations in the Kiratpur-Nerchowk Road Project, Himachal Pradesh. They raised concerns about unpaid wages after contractor IL&FS abandoned the project in 2018, urging ADB to uphold labor safeguards.
2018
2019
-
Forum on ADB ramped up campaigns on ADB and AIIB, focusing on approved projects to enforce environmental and social standards, protect community rights, and ensure accountability.
-
Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) filed one of six complaints with AIIB over the 220 MW Bhola IPP project in Bangladesh. AIIB’s Project-Affected People’s Mechanism (PPM) rejected it, citing insufficient engagement with AIIB management.
-
NGO Forum on ADB has actively engaged with AIIB’s PPM since its inception. Approved in December 2018, the PPM became operational on March 31, 2019, as AIIB’s grievance redress mechanism.
-
NGO Forum on ADB intensified its Decarbonize ADB and AIIB Campaign, pushing for a full fossil fuel divestment while launching the South-South Integrated Energy Planning Campaign to promote sustainable, community-led energy solutions.
-
In February 2020, INWOLAG filed a complaint with ADB over Nepal’s Tanahu Hydropower Project, citing inadequate compensation, lack of consultation, and weak safeguards.
-
ADB reviewed its Energy Policy in 2020, approving a revised version in October 2021, ending coal financing and committing to clean energy. The Forum played a key role through consultations, critiques, and advocacy for stronger climate commitments.
2020
2021
-
In October 2021, ADB exited coal with its Energy Policy 2021, ending financing for new coal projects. Forum played a key role in this shift through advocacy, campaigns like Decarbonize ADB, and direct engagement, pressuring ADB to align with global climate goals.
-
In August 2021, AIIB President Jin Liqun stated that "coal definitely would be out" in the bank’s upcoming energy strategy. Forum played a key role in advocating for sustainable policies, closely monitoring AIIB’s projects and pushing for stronger environmental commitments.
-
NGO Forum on ADB escalates its Decarbonize ADB and AIIB Campaign, advocating for a complete shift away from fossil fuel financing. Simultaneously, it launches the South-South Integrated Energy Planning Campaign to promote sustainable, community-driven energy solutions across developing nations
-
In 2022, Growthwatch filed a complaint with AIIB over the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, citing the displacement of a school for deaf students and inadequate consultation.
2022
2022
Forum on ADB celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, marking three decades of advocacy for accountability, transparency, and environmental and social justice in ADB-financed projects.
Forum on ADB actively engaged in the ADB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) policy review. The Forum and its allies called for a redrafting of the ESF Working Paper, leading to substantial changes reflected in the revised paper. They also participated in in-person discussions with ADB's Office of the Safeguards team in Manila, advocating for stronger environmental and social protections in ADB-financed projects.
2023
2024
-
During the ADB's 57th Annual Meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia, the Forum, alongside global allies, called for greater accountability from the ADB, emphasizing concerns over the bank's impact on communities, environments, and civic spaces.
-
Citing a "troubling pattern of exclusion" of impacted communities, the Forum and its network decided to boycott the AIIB's 2024 Annual Meeting. They raised concerns about the lack of control over the agenda and inadequate visa support for NGOs, questioning the meaningfulness of the engagements.