Policies on Cross Cutting Issues

Abstract: The Bank Group Policy on Program-Based Operations (PBOs), also known as budget support, was approved on March 14, 2012. The Bank’s vision is to use PBOs, where appropriate, as part of an instrument mix tailored to country circumstances, focusing on support to RMC expenditure and policy reform to improve service delivery, thereby supporting poverty reduction through strong, sustained and shared growth. The Policy is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Bank’s PBOs, which would invariably help to deliver better results in support of priority sectors in Regional Member Countries (RMCs). The primary objective of the Bank’s PBOs is to provide resources to the national budget, subject to specific country needs and context; to address diverse issues, including sustaining growth, reducing poverty, strengthening country Public Financial Management (PFM) systems and economic management policies, and contributing to recovery, state building and arrears clearance of post-conflict countries, inter-alia. In this regard, the PBO Policy articulates new provisions which will position the Bank to strategically respond to the rapidly evolving needs and requirements of RMCs. Some of these include a move towards programmatic approaches, a multi-sectoral approach to PBOs and an enhanced approach to policy dialogue.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.1 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.1). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater (i) alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC) and (ii) harmonization with other sister institutions particularly the World Bank. The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs).

Abstract: The Policy and Guidelines on Cooperation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) reflect Bank Group’s commitment to enhance its relations with civil society. The document complements other Bank Group resources including the Bank’s Handbook on Consultation and Participation, the Easy Reference Guides, various Bank sector policy documents. It is composed of three parts: • Part I, which outlines the Operations Manual. • Bank’s policy on cooperation with CSOs, which is complemented by a Part II Action Plan (attached as Appendix A) for its implementation. This provides operational guidelines on the implementation of the policy based on instruments available to the Bank. • Part III that outlines institutional and resource requirements for the implementation of the policy

Abstract: The main objective of the Bank Group’s Policy on Poverty is to provide a framework for action by putting poverty reduction at the centre of Bank support for its RMCs especially in their efforts to prepare, implement, and evaluate their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs); and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a context of development effectiveness. The Policy demonstrates the Bank’s recognition of poverty reduction as its overarching goal and identifies sectoral priorities and discusses operational issues in this respect. It has been developed on a theoretical framework in which the concept of poverty is broadened from the simple basic need approach to incorporate broader issues like human dignity, social inclusion, inequality and vulnerability to risk. This new framework stretches beyond just human capital to other forms of capital including social, political, cultural and natural capital. The policy also recognizes now existing approaches in development assistance, which seek greater national ownership of poverty reduction strategies, the role of civil society in the formulation and implementation of poverty reduction policies and programs and the greater importance given to the impact of poverty interventions on improving the welfare of the poor. To this end, Bank’s Poverty Policy seeks to foster the identification of pro-poor policies to improve on a set of indicators of poverty.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Bank Group involuntary resettlement policy is intended to address the involuntary displacement of people caused by Bank funded operations in public and private sector. It applies when a project results in relocation or loss of shelter by the persons residing in the project area, assets being lost or livelihoods being affected. The primary goal of the involuntary resettlement policy is to ensure that when people must be displaced they are treated equitably, and that they share in the benefits of the project that involves their resettlement. The borrowing agency has the primary responsibility for planning, implementing and monitoring resettlement issues. The borrower will be required to prepare a full resettlement plan (FRP) for any project that involve a significant number of people (200 or more persons) who would need to be displaced with a loss of assets, or access to assets or reduction in their livelihood. For any project involving the resettlement of less than 200 persons, an abbreviated resettlement plan will be released together with the environmental annex of the Bank’s Appraisal Report. The full resettlement plan and the abbreviated resettlement plan should be posted in the Bank’s Public Information Centre (PIC) and the Bank’s website for public review and comments in accordance to the Bank’s disclosure policy and the Bank’s Environmental and Social Assessment Procedures (ESAP 2001). Compensation at the full replacement cost for loss of lands and other assets should be paid prior to projects .The full costs of resettlement activities necessary to achieve the objectives of the project should be included in the total costs of the project.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.