Comment on AIBB Draft Environmental and Social Framework

This memo was prepared by MRLG in reply to a consultation organized by the Secretariat of AIIB ‘Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on its proposed « environmental and Social Framework ». AIBB is a major regional initiative, supported by China, which will become a significant multilateral lender in the development of the Asian Region and therefore will have an impact on large infrastructure projects with potential negative impacts on land tenure security and livelihood of local farmers and ethnic minorities, especially the ones who have customary tenure on land.
MRLG therefore revised the proposed draft framework and made several suggestions related to the application of VGGT :
– Resettlement of all people holding a legitimate tenure (including customary
tenure rights should require the FPIC of concerned communities.
– Appropriate compensation mechanisms should be in place
– Access to grievance mechanisms to all affected communities