Free, prior and informed consent of indigenous people

The World Bank has begun a two-year process to review and update its environmental and social safeguard policies. These policies embody core values of the institution and are the cornerstone of the Bank's efforts to protect people and the environment and to ensure sustainable development outcomes. This review and update provides an opportunity for the Bank to build on the core principles of the current safeguard policies; improve coverage of environmental and social risks; deliver better environmental and social outcomes in the projects and programs it supports; and help strengthen country systems and institutions to deliver sustainable results on the ground. Some stakeholders have asked the Bank to consider a number of emerging areas that are not addressed under the current set of Safeguard Policies. These are