In April 2017, the AIIB requested public input in the development of a proposed Complaints Handling Mechanism (CHM), which the AIIB aims to put in place by the end of 2017. In response, a coalition of ten civil society organizations and networks, including BIC, submitted recommendations based on the best practice from independent accountability mechanisms around the world. These recommendations emphasized that the adoption of an independent, fair, and effective accountability mechanism is crucial to the AIIB’s institutional commitment to sustainable development. The full text of the submission is available here.
BIC also submitted a separate statement that highlighted lessons learned from the recent World Bank Inspection Panel review of the Uganda Transport Sector Development Project, which underscored that a strong compliance role for the CHM is critical to ensure that AIIB is a learning institution. Key lessons learned included the importance of: measures to address the risk of retaliation and reprisals against complainants; requiring clients to disclose information about the mechanism to project-affected communities; and requiring AIIB management to develop robust management action plans that respond to all instances of non-compliance. The full text of the submission is available here.