Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Bankwatch’s comments on the EBRD’s draft strategy for Azerbaijan 2010-2013

Our comments highlight the EBRD’s draft strategy’s lack of a clear analysis of social and environmental development outcomes that the EBRD seeks to achieve over the strategy period and the concrete impacts on peoples lives that are expected. Specific sectors covered in our comments are the financial and energy sectors, as well as transport and municipal and environmental infrastructure (MEI).

Bankwatch letter to EBRD Secretary General regarding non-diclosure of project summary for Centerra project

Bankwatch co-production on Kyrgyz gold mine wins at DOK Leipzig while EBRD sights financing for company featured in the film

During last weeks internationally-renowned 53rd Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film, DOK Leipzig, Bankwatch’s most recent co-production about the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)-financed Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan All that Glitters collected two awards: the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk award for an excellent Eastern European documentary film and the Healthy Workplaces Film Award for the best documentary film about the subject of work.

Rotten perceptions, grim reality Turkmenistan off the agenda in European Parliament, Nabucco still nowhere near fit for purpose

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, launched today, confirms Turkmenistan’s position as one of the world’s least democratic regimes. Promoters of the Nabucco gas pipeline project have opted to adopt a surprisingly tolerant approach to Turkmenistan’s endemic failings.

EBRD response regarding a loan for Centerra Gold and related lack of transparency and public consultation

Civil Society letter to EBRD Directors regarding a loan for Centerra Gold and related lack of transparency and public consultation

Bankwatch appeal to the EBRD to withhold approval of the South Ukraine Transmission Project

EBRD response regarding scheduled board meeting on the South Ukraine transmission lines project

Bankwatch Mail 46

In this issue: A sustainable EU budget – it’s time to cut the crap * Khimki forest reprieve brings no cessation of underhand tactics * EU funds flows for smart flood prevention can save billions and lives * Rip it up and almost start again – New EU funds priorities for Hungary * EU funds for Latvia’s environment up in smoke * Conference – The private sector turn: Private equity, financial intermediaries and what they mean for development (November 22, London) * EBRD financial sector strategy revision reveals few lessons learned from crisis * Energy and transport failings in the east – a challe

Bankwatch input to EC consultation on an EU initiative on concessions

The European Commission (EC) has recently invited inputs to its consultation on an initiative on concessions that aims to improve the rules for concession contracts in the EU. PPP advocates insist on their cost-effectiveness, timely completion rates and the sharing of financial risk – yet so far the evidence for these claims is decidedly mixed. In our comments we call for a thorough and independent assessment of the performance of PPPs so far and their financial and social impact.