3 September 2004
Prior to listening to presentations on the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Power Project at the Technical Workshop in Tokyo, the NGOs listed below would like it put on the record that this is a "technical workshop," not a public consultation. We have serious reservations regarding both the World Bank's role in promoting the Nam Theun 2 project, as well as serious concerns about the project itself. We want to ensure that all participants of this Technical Workshop in Tokyo share the following understanding.
1. This Technical Workshop must be neither misrepresented nor misconstrued as a public consultation.
Meaningful public consultations require that all relevant documents, including safeguard documents, are disclosed and enough time is provided for stakeholders to review and understand them prior to the consultation. Stakeholders should also be involved in determining the agenda of consultations, so that it is ensured that their concerns can be sufficiently conveyed. We received notice of this workshop through the e-mail news from the World Bank Tokyo Office approximately 2 weeks in advance with a pre-determined agenda indicating no opportunities for participants to raise concerns not included in the provided agenda. Safeguard documents are still in draft form, and the World Bank has yet to disclose some important documents that NGOs have been requesting both by written inquiry and in meetings. Considering the above, we want it on the record that these Technical Workshops held in Bangkok, Tokyo, Paris and Washington DC are not public consultations.
2. The World Bank's role in organizing this workshop is inappropriate.
We find no justification in the World Bank's rush to organize this Technical Workshop. The World Bank should not be assisting project proponents gather support for a project it is in a position to appraise in the future. Such behavior is unfitting an institution which was instrumental in convening the widely acclaimed World Commission on Dams. We want it on the record that the World Bank has not yet made a decision on whether or not to finance the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Power Project.
3. Real public consultations must be held if the World Bank appraisal begins.
It is our understanding that the World Bank will make a decision on whether or not to begin its appraisal process after the safeguard documents and other relevant documents are complete. If it does indeed enter the appraisal process, we expect real public consultations to be held for both local and international stakeholders. We also expect that all relevant information will be disclosed so that civil society can participate meaningfully and on equal footing with project proponents. We want it on the record that if the World Bank begins appraisal of the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Power Project, these Technical Workshops will not replace real public consultations.
Our participation at this technical workshop must not in any way be interpreted as support for the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project.
Endorsed by:
Friends of the Earth-Japan
3-17-24 2F Mejiro
Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Greenpeace Japan
8-13-11 Nishishinjuku
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES)
5-2-32 2F Minami Azabu
Minato-ku, Tokyo
Mekong Watch
1-20-6 2F Higashiueno
Taito-ku, Tokyo