The evolution of the Asian Development Bank's relations with civil society

During its first two decades of operations, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) interacted with civil society organizations in a relatively limited way. However, in 1987, the bank approved a policy recognizing that such organizations could supplement its efforts to improve the living conditions of poor people and protect the environment. Cooperation with civil society organizations gradually grew over the ensuing decade. In the late 1990s, advocacy groups began to criticize the ADB more aggressively for its lack of transparency and accountability and the negative impacts of its operations on local communities. The ADB responded by adopting new policies and practices that led to greater information disclosure and consultation with project-affected communities; an improved independent complaint handling mechanism, stepped-up dialogue at ADB annual meetings; and more stringent environmental and social safeguard policies. In its latest long-term strategy, approved in 2018, the ADB committed to strengthening collaboration with civil society organizations in the design, implementation, and monitoring of its projects.