ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement recognizes efforts by developing member countries to improve involuntary resettlement safeguards and paves the way for the application of country safeguard systems to ADB-financed projects.
Progress towards improving involuntary resettlement safeguards often meets significant challenges. Unlike environmental legislation, where most developing member countries (DMCs) have aligned their legislation with international good practices and industry standards, the management of involuntary resettlement risks and impacts varies significantly across DMCs, reflecting major differences in land tenure systems and in how states apply the power of eminent domain
ADB works with DMCs to strengthen country safeguard systems (CSS) by supporting systematic and rigorous assessments of CSS in relation to international good practices; and formulation and implementation of appropriate gap filling measures and capacity development plans. However, use of CSS is neither automatic nor mandatory and requires assessments to determine that the legal framework is equivalent to ADB’s safeguard requirements and the government agencies have acceptable implementation capacity and a good track record.
About this publication
This briefing note is part of a series on country safeguard systems and ADB’s efforts to support its developing member countries strengthen their environmental and social safeguards.