Our Mandate
The Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) is the independent recourse mechanism for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The CAO responds to complaints from project-affected communities with the goal of enhancing social and environmental outcomes on the ground. Learn More
Case Update
Deadline extended to June 30, 2016: Public Consultation - CAO Approach to Complainant Protection
June 01, 2016 - CAO's work with complainants is sensitive by nature, and in some circumstances, complainants may receive threats or experience retaliations as a consequence of having lodged a complaint. In recognition of this reality “CAO’s Approach to Complainant Protection” paper sets out how CAO approaches these challenges and its applicability to work done by all CAO functions – Dispute Resolution, Compliance and Advisory. CAO requests that you provide your inputs and comments by June 30, 2016. Please send submissions to [email protected]
Consultation Draft - CAO Approach to Complainant Protection 2016
Uganda: CAO Assessment of Seventh Bujagali Complaint
June 01, 2016 - CAO has concluded the assessment of the seventh complaint in relation to IFC and MIGA Bujagali project in Uganda. During the assessment, CAO found no agreement among the key parties to proceed with a dispute resolution process under CAO auspices. In accordance with CAO’s Operational Guidelines, the case has been referred to CAO Compliance for appraisal of IFC’s/MIGA’s performance with regard to the project.
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India: Complaint regarding IFC's investment in Coastal Gujarat Power Limited
May 26, 2016 - CAO has accepted a new complait regarding IFC's Tata Ultra Mega project in India. The assessment of the issues with the relevant parties is underway. Learn more about this case
Guatemala: CAO Assessment of IFC's investment in Corporacion Interamericana para el Financiamiento
May 19, 2016 - CAO has concluded the assessment of the complaint regarding the Santa Cruz hydropower project in Guatemala supported through an IFC investment in Corporacion Interamericana para el Financiamiento (CIFI). Given the stakeholders’ decisions, the case has been referred to CAO’s Compliance function for appraisal. The Assessment Report is available via the link below.Learn more about this case
Albania: CAO Compliance Appraisal of IFC's Investment in enso Albania
May 19, 2016 - CAO releases its compliance appraisal report regarding IFC's investment in enso Albania. The appraisal concludes that the complaint raises substantial issues related to IFC’s appraisal and supervision of the environmental and social impacts of this hydropower project. CAO has decided that a compliance investigation is warranted. The compliance appraisal report and more information about the case are available at the link below.Learn more about this case
Summary of CAO cases: May 2016
May 17, 2016 - CAO's 6-weekly summary of cases in assessment, dispute resolution, and compliance is available at the link below.CAO Case Summary May 2016
Apply Now for CAO's 2016 Summer Internship Program
May 12, 2016 - The intern will be hired as a short-term temporary with tasks that will include research & data analysis, and assistance with CAO's outreach activities to civil society and other stakeholders. The intern may also be asked to contribute to specific projects at the request of the CAO Vice President, as needed. To apply, see Terms of Reference below. The deadline for applications is May 27th.Terms of Reference
Egypt: CAO Assessment of Complaint Regarding IFC's Alex Dev Project
May 11, 2016 - CAO has concluded the assessment of the complaint regarding IFC's investment in Alexandria Development Limited (ADL) in Egypt. As the parties chose not to engage in a CAO facilitated dispute resolution process, the case has been referred to CAO Compliance function for appraisal. The Assessment Report is available via the link below.Learn more about this case
Malaysia: Terms of Reference for Compliance Investigation of IFC's Investment in Bilt Paper
May 10, 2016 - CAO publishes Terms of Reference for its upcoming compliance investigation of IFC's investment in Bilt Paper/SFI in Malaysia. The ToR and full details about this case can be found via link below: Learn more about this case
Uganda: Terms of Reference for Compliance Investigation of IFC and MIGA projects with Bujagali Energy
May 10, 2016 - CAO publishes Terms of Reference for its upcoming compliance investigation of IFC investment and MIGA project with Bujagali Energy in Uganda. This compliance investigation will pertain to the Bujagali 04 and 06 cases. The ToR are available at the link below. Terms of Reference
Indonesia: CAO releases Compliance Investigation Report regarding IFC's Investment in Delta-Wilmar (Wilmar-03)
May 3, 2016 - CAO releases a compliance investigation related to IFC investments in Delta-Wilmar, a palm oil processing company in Ukraine. The investigation identifies shortcomings in relation to IFC’s management of risks and impacts associated with the company’s palm oil supply chain in Indonesia. CAO's Investigation Report, a communiqué regarding the case, and IFC's Response, are available at the link below.Learn more about this case
CAO Newsletter: Issue 3 / April 2016
April 18, 2016 - CAO’s latest newsletter provides an update on CAO’s joint fact finding process in Mongolia, the efforts of parties beyond CAO’s dialogue process in Nicaragua, new knowledge-sharing initiatives developed by the Advisory team, and the release of CAO’s first monitoring report related to the IFC investment in Banco Ficohsa, Honduras, amongst other updates. CAO Newsletter Issue 3
CAO seeks a Short-Term Consultant (STC) to support the CAO’s Advisory function
The STC will be responsible for coordinating and maintaining CAO's monitoring and evaluation system, and will also be required to assist in its future development. The role will be from April through June 2016. To apply, see Terms of Reference below. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled.Terms of Reference
Berta Cáceres - A Powerful Voice for the Voiceless
March 7, 2016 - It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the murder of Berta Cáceres, one of the leading indigenous and environmental rights campaigners in Honduras. CAO had received a number of complaints related to hydropower and other energy projects in Honduras from Berta Cáceres, in her capacity as general coordinator and co-founder of the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). For more information
CAO releases its second monitoring report related to the Financial Intermediaries (FI) Audit
October 15, 2015 - CAO releases its second compliance monitoring report in relation to the Compliance Audit of IFC's Financial Sector Investments. The monitoring report considers actions taken by IFC in response to the findings of the FI Audit and subsequent Ficohsa Investigation. The compliance monitoring report is available at the link below.Learn more about this case
What's New
Conflict Resolution Day 2015: Conflict, Gender & Development: A Conversation with Alaa Murabit
November 2, 2015 - On 16 October 2015, CAO hosted a discussion with Alaa Murabit to mark Conflict Resolution Day. The discussion centered on the why and how of achieving participation of women in development and mediation processes. To see highlights from the conversation, see video via link below.Conflict Resolution Day 2015
World Bank Group Spring Meetings: CAO-Inspection Panel High Level Event: Accountability for Better Development Outcomes
April 16, 2015 - CAO hosted a high level panel during the Spring Meetings with the Inspection Panel, on “Accountability for Better Development Outcomes”, Thursday April 16, 2015. The event featured Miguel Castilla, Ambassador to the United States for Peru, Ray Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America, and Deirdre White, CEO of PYXERA Global, with a video Introduction by President Jim Kim. Watch Event Recording
Members of the World Bank Group