Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO)

05/14/2026

Rethinking Stakeholder Engagement from an Accountability Lens 🌍🤝

At IAIA 2026, the World Bank Group’s accountability mechanisms will host a Solutions Room session to explore how these challenges play out in practice and what can be done differently. Rethinking Stakeholder Engagement from an Accountability Lens will bring together insights from the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman, Dispute Resolution Service (World Bank Accountability Mechanism), and The World Bank Inspection Panel, grounded in real case experience.

Participants will work in small groups to examine a case study and identify actions to prevent issues such as misinformation, breakdowns in communication, and mistrust.

📅 May 20, 2026
🕘 9:00 – 10:30 AM
📍 Québec City

If you are attending IAIA 2026, join us!

05/08/2026

Case Update in Rwanda:
A complaint raising concerns related to harmful lending practices was transferred to Compliance following CAO’s assessment.

During the assessment process, the parties did not agree to resolve the issues raised in the complaint through a CAO-facilitated dialogue process.

Learn more here:

Rwanda: AB Bank-01 Date Filed 21 Sep 2025 Status Open Phase Assessment Country Rwanda Case Tracker Eligibility October 27, 2025-December 17, 2025 Eligibility Assessment December 19, 2025-May 06, 2026 Assessment Dispute Resolution Compliance CURRENT Status Assessment December 19, 2025-May 06, 2026 Co...

04/29/2026

How can IFC better use its leverage to deliver remedy for communities?

We break down how strengthening IFC’s leverage throughout the life of a project can help operationalize remedy for communities while reinforcing IFC’s role as a leader in sustainable investment.

“Expanding IFC’s toolbox for securing and exercising leverage will not only enhance the environmental and social performance of its projects, but also ensure that the Remedial Action Framework is applied effectively to address project-related harm,” says Janine Ferretti, Director-General of CAO.

Read the article: https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/news/maximizing-ifcs-leverage-investment-impact

04/15/2026

CAO has released its Compliance Omnibus Monitoring Report for Q3 FY2026, presenting updates from eight cases in Latin America, Africa, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, and Europe. 🔍

The report reflects CAO’s ongoing monitoring of IFC’s implementation of Management Action Plan (MAP) commitments, in response to CAO compliance investigations.

Monitoring is the final stage of CAO’s compliance process, where CAO verifies whether IFC/MIGA has effectively implemented agreed actions in MAPs to address identified noncompliance and related harm.

Read more 🔗

In April 2026, CAO published its Compliance Monitoring Omnibus Report, Q3 FY2026

04/14/2026

Our latest Advisory Note is out: Leveraging IFC’s Influence to Enhance Environmental and Social (E&S) Outcomes, part of the Advisory Insight Series on Strategic E&S Topics 📘

Learn More 🔗 https://officecao.org/LeverageReport

The Report highlights the critical role of sustained leverage in enabling IFC - International Finance Corporation to meet its Environmental and Social commitments, prevent harm, and support the delivery of remedy.

Drawing on evidence from CAO cases, it shows that when leverage is limited, inconsistently applied, or declines after disbursement, this can undermine compliance and the effectiveness of Management Action Plans (MAP) to deliver remedial solutions.

The publication outlines practical directions to strengthen leverage across the investment lifecycle, including improving due diligence, closing supervision gaps, and expanding the tools available to IFC to maintain influence over time. Strengthening these approaches is essential to achieving better outcomes for communities and reinforcing accountability in development finance.

During the World Bank IMF Spring Meetings 2026, CAO organized a dedicated discussion with IFC colleagues, Board members, CSOs, and external experts on the importance of leverage to enhance environmental and social outcomes in development finance. CAO will also continue this discussion during its regular roundtable with civil society organizations, alongside other priority topics.

04/08/2026

From Conflict to Common Ground: How Did Mediation Build Trust in Guinea?

In our latest CAO newsletter, learn how 13 communities in Sangaredi are rewriting their story and moving from conflict to collaboration through mediation supported by CAO. After years of disputes over land, livelihoods, and environmental impacts, new agreements between the communities and a mining company are already making a difference while rebuilding trust.

➡️ Read the full story: https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/news/paths-trust-inside-guineas-evolving-dialogue-between-communities-and-mining-industry

🔔 Don’t miss the next story. Subscribe to CAO Quarterly for the latest news, events, and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Link in comments.

03/25/2026

💧Water is at the heart of any community—and at the center of many development challenges.

This World Water Day, CAO reflects on decades of experience working to address water-related disputes, from access and quality to livelihoods and environmental impacts across many sectors. With the continued presence of water issues in many CAO cases—and climate change placing increasing pressures on freshwater resources—finding collaborative and inclusive ways to resolve conflict is more important than ever.

Learn more about how CAO support communities and projects in navigating water challenges and improving outcomes ➡️ https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/news/bridging-divides-resolving-water-disputes-better-development-outcomes

03/10/2026

Join our team! CAO is hiring an Environmental and Social Compliance Specialist 📢

The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical and project management skills, with experience in monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social compliance, and stakeholder engagement in complex development contexts.

✅ Apply now!
📅 Closing date: March 23, 2026
Details here 👇
https://officecao.org/Work

03/09/2026

Today, we celebrate the women who strengthen CAO’s work around the world. 🌍

Women mediators help make dialogue processes more inclusive by bringing diverse perspectives and creating space for voices that might otherwise go unheard. Their work helps ensure that dialogue reflects the realities of the whole community. 🤝

Hear from women mediators working in cases in the Caribbean, East Africa, and Central Asia. 💬

03/09/2026

Case Update in Egypt:
CAO has completed its compliance appraisal of a case related to the Al Subh Solar Power, Sunrise Energy, and Rising Sun Energy projects within the Benban Solar Park in Egypt. The complaint, filed by a former employee working at the project sites, raised labor-related concerns.

Following its appraisal, CAO determined that a compliance investigation was not merited. The case is now closed.

Learn more:

Egypt: Al Subh Solar Power, Sunrise Energy and Rising Sun Energy-01 Date Filed 17 Mar 2024 Status Closed Phase Compliance Country Egypt, Arab Republic of Case Tracker Eligibility Eligibility Assessment May 30, 2024-November 12, 2024 Assessment Dispute Resolution Dispute Resolution November 12, 2024-...