CAO

In our latest CAO newsletter, learn how 13 communities in Sangaredi are rebuilding trust with a mining company through CAO-supported mediation after years of dispute. ⬇️Read the full story: cao-ombudsman.org/news/paths-tru… 🔔Subscribe to CAO Quarterly.

Nepal: An advisory services case related to a cable car project was transferred to Compliance following CAO’s assessment. CAO was unable to engage with the client during the assessment. Learn more: cao-ombudsman.org/case/nepal-cab…

💧Water is central to communities—and to many development challenges. This #WorldWaterDay, CAO reflects on decades of addressing water-related disputes, from access and quality to livelihoods and environmental impacts across many sectors. Read more➡️cao-ombudsman.org/news/bridging-…

Join our team! 📢 CAO is hiring an Environmental and Social Compliance Specialist. Looking for strong analytical and project management skills with experience in E&S compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. Apply by March 23: officecao.org/Work

Case Update in Egypt: CAO has completed its compliance appraisal of a complaint related to the Al Subh Solar Power, Sunrise Energy, and Rising Sun Energy projects in the Benban Solar Park. CAO closed the case after appraisal. Learn more: cao-ombudsman.org/case/egypt-al-…

Case Update in Egypt: CAO has completed its compliance appraisal of a complaint related to the Benban Solar Park project in Egypt. CAO closed the case after appraisal. Learn more: cao-ombudsman.org/case/egypt-ben…

Case Update in Cambodia: A case related to lending and debt collection practices linked to a banking client in Cambodia is now in dispute resolution following agreement to engage in a voluntary CAO-led process. More: cao-ombudsman.org/case/cambodia-…

Case Update in Cambodia: A case related to lending and debt collection practices linked to a microfinance client in Cambodia has moved into monitoring following a voluntary CAO-led dispute resolution process and a mutually satisfactory agreement. More: cao-ombudsman.org/case/cambodia-…

🤝 CAO’s 5th Mediators’ Summit brought mediators from across regions to Santo Domingo for peer exchange and hands-on learning. Participants strengthened skills in complex mediation, power dynamics, survivor-centered GBV approaches, and use of the mediation matrix.

📋 Targeted Review of the CAO Policy: The Boards of IFC and MIGA have launched a review covering FI eligibility, referrals and deferrals, IFC/MIGA participation in dispute resolution, Management Action Plans, and policy timelines. worldbank.org/en/about/leade…

🤝 Next week, CAO hosts the 2026 Mediators Summit, bringing together mediators from around the world to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and reflect on best practices in dispute resolution. Stay tuned for updates: cao-ombudsman.org/our-work-media…

The Task Force on Integration of WBG Accountability Mechanisms seeks external input. Consultation webinars will be held this month for complainants, CSOs, borrower governments, IFC clients, and MIGA guarantee holders. Registration deadline: Jan 9, 2026. worldbank.org/en/about/leade…

Case Update in Jordan: We have closed a case related to the Falcon Ma’an solar PV project in Jordan after complainants withdrew their complaint during assessment, indicating that the concerns raised had been resolved. The case is now closed. More: cao-ombudsman.org/case/jordan-fa…

Case updates in Cambodia Two microfinance cases were recently updated. One new dispute resolution process is underway for the MIFA Debt Fund and Amret MFI Equity 13 case, while the MEF 09 case has closed following implementation of the agreement.

Case Update in Pakistan We finalized a Dispute Resolution Conclusion Report for a labor case at the Karot Hydro Power Project in Pakistan. The parties reached a full settlement agreement, and jointly agreed to close the case after CAO’s monitoring. cao-ombudsman.org/case/pakistan-…

Case Update in Egypt We finalized a Dispute Resolution Conclusion Report for a labor case at Egypt’s Benban Solar Park. The process concluded without agreement and the case is moving to Compliance for appraisal. cao-ombudsman.org/case/egypt-al-…

Just Launched: CAO’s 2025 Annual Report marks 25 years of impact and highlights progress this year handling 63 cases in 26 countries. officecao.org/AR2025

Case Update in Ukraine: The Board approved IFC’s Action Plan in response to CAO’s investigation of IFC’s investment in Axzon/Danosha. The plan provides clearer guidance for due diligence and supervision in corporate projects with multiple sites. Read more cao-ombudsman.org/case/ukraine-a…

Case Update in Egypt: We have concluded a complaint on IFC’s investment in the Benban Solar Park. CAO’s appraisal found no plausible link between the alleged harm and IFC/MIGA non-compliance, and a compliance investigation was not warranted. Read More: cao-ombudsman.org/case/egypt-ben…

Case Update in Ecuador: We completed the assessment of a complaint in Ecuador concerning E&S impacts from food producer plant operations. The parties agreed to pursue a CAO-facilitated dispute resolution (DR) process. The case is now in DR. More: cao-ombudsman.org/case/ecuador-p…