Letter to the EIB: Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework needs to inclusive approache
35 NGOs around the world, including Arab Watch Coalition and its organization members around the MENA region, sent a joint letter to the European Investment Bank (EIB) on its reviewing process of the Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF). The letter is urging the EU landing arm to adopt an effective consultation process in this review.
Considering the bank’s commitment to strengthen its development finance work, it is regrettable that it has put in place a process that does not allow for adequate consultation with those most exposed to impacts of its development operations
Civil society around the world is calling on the EIB to extend the consultation period to ensure wider participation of civil society and local communities. It also points out to the language barriers comprised in these consultations. While the EIB has significant investments in MENA countries whose official language is Arabic, this language is not included in any of the EIB documents. All documents are only available in English and French and only two standards are available in Spanish and Portuguese.