The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) Board of Directors approved on Dec. 7, 2018 the Policy on the Project-affected People’s Mechanism (PPM). This will take effect on March 31, 2019, together with a PPM Directive and PPM Rules of Procedure. The PPM enables people to file submissions if they believe they have been or are likely to be adversely affected by a failure of the Bank to implement its Environmental and Social Policy.

"Ensuring that the environment and local people are not harmed by AIIB-financed projects is a cornerstone of our lean, clean and green values," said AIIB President Jin Liqun. "This mechanism will enable us to respond quickly to concerns from project-affected people so we can work with our clients to address those issues in a timely manner."

The PPM explains how project-affected people can bring submissions to AIIB to raise their concerns. Key features of the PPM include:

• The ability to independently consider submissions from Project-affected people.
• A proactive focus on preventing adverse effects and fostering continuous learning.
• Tailored options to provide flexibility for project-affected people.
• Confidentiality on request for people making submissions.

The PPM was developed through consultations with stakeholders from government agencies, project implementation agencies, business communities, civil society, nongovernmental organizations, multilateral development banks and academics. Dialogue occurred through regional and in-country meetings, videoconferencing and interviews. Each phase of public consultation was followed by in-depth discussion with AIIB’s Board of Directors, Management and staff. AIIB thanks all who participated in these consultations or sent written comments.

"We have listened to many different stakeholders," said Hamid Sharif, Managing Director of AIIB’s Complaints-resolution, Evaluation and Integrity Unit (CEIU). "We now have a mechanism that can respond to concerns of project-affected people in a timely and meaningful way. The PPM will promote compliance with AIIB's Environmental and Social Policy and, just as importantly, will encourage learning from our own experiences to improve projects going forward."

For more information on the Project-affected People’s Mechanism, please visit aiib.org.

About AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Headquartered in Beijing, we began operations in January 2016 and have now grown to 93 approved members worldwide. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, we will better connect people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.