Which document articulates ADB’s policies on social safeguards?

The Safeguard Policy Statement is the definitive document that outlines the Asian Development Bank’s policies regarding social safeguards. This document serves as a cornerstone for ADB’s approach to managing the social impacts of its projects. It establishes principles and requirements aimed at avoiding, mitigating, or managing potential adverse social impacts related to ADB-assisted projects, ensuring that the rights of affected people are respected and that their interests are taken into account.

The Safeguard Policy Statement emphasizes the importance of consultation with stakeholders, transparency in decision-making processes, and the need to enhance the well-being of communities affected by ADB projects. It also provides guidance on key issues such as involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples, and community participation, which are critical to fostering sustainable development outcomes.

Other documents may address specific aspects of ADB's operational framework, but none are as comprehensive in articulating policies on social safeguards as the Safeguard Policy Statement. The Environmental Protection Document primarily focuses on environmental safeguards, while the Project Implementation Framework outlines procedures for project execution without specifically addressing social safeguards. The Social Development Plan may be utilized in project planning to address social issues but is not the overarching policy document that directs ADB's social safeguard practices.