Board Approves Panel Recommendation to Investigate the Second Request for Inspection related to Coastal Cities Sustainable Environment Project in Viet Nam
On February 5, 2024, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved, on a no objection basis, the Inspection Panel’s recommendation to investigate the Vietnam Coastal Cities Sustainable Environment related to the Second Request for Inspection. This recommendation of the Panel is in response to a Request for Inspection that was submitted on August 27, 2023, and additional grievances received in November 2023 from affected people in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Viet Nam.
The Request raised concerns related to the resettlement process under the Bank-financed Project. The Request alleges that the restrictions placed since 2016 on the properties of affected households in the Ngoc Hiep Resettlement Site are rendering owners unable to apply for new land certificates, or build, repair, or rent their structures. The Request claims that the inconsistent application of resettlement policies and related consultations resulted in unfair treatment of some affected households by the Project. The Request claims that the adequacy of the valuation methodology used for Project-related resettlement resulted in unfairly low compensation packages to the affected households. The Request also alleges intimidation during the resettlement process, and exclusion of households from the resettlement process for having complained about aspects of the Project.
The Panel registered the Request on September 25, 2023, and as required under Panel process, Management submitted its Response to the Request on November 8, 2023. On December 20, 2023, Management provided an addendum to its initial response to address the additional grievances. On January 22, 2024, following a visit to Viet Nam, the Panel submitted to the Board its Report and Recommendation, in which it determined the Request’s and the Requesters’ eligibility and recommended carrying out an investigation into the alleged issues of harm and related possible noncompliance with the applicable World Bank policies. The Board approved, on a no objection basis, the Panel’s recommendation for Investigation on February 5, 2024.
Under the Inspection Panel resolution and the World Bank Accountability Mechanism (AM) resolution, after Board approval of the Panel’s investigation recommendation, the AM Secretary offers the Requesters and the borrower the option of dispute resolution. The AM Secretary will inform the Board, the Panel and Bank Management within 30 business days whether the parties have voluntarily agreed to pursue dispute resolution. Learn more.