Building technical capacity in Cambodia and Lao PDR to deliver sustainable infrastructure projects that align with International Financial Institution (IFI) environmental and social (E&S) standards and fiduciary good practices was the focus of an Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)-Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) workshop on 26-28 March in Xiamen, China.
Experts from AIIB and government agencies highlighted project lessons and insights aimed at helping other officials and stakeholders in Cambodia and Lao PDR address financial management, procurement, and E&S challenges that can impede delivery of high-quality projects financed by AIIB and other multilateral development banks.
The participants discussed the importance of applying IFI standards during project preparation, implementation, monitoring, and reporting to avoid delays and ensure sustainable outcomes throughout the project lifecycle. They noted the pivotal role feasibility studies, E&S assessments, and other upstream activities play in realizing high-quality projects.
Participants also spotlighted the need for coordinated engagement across E&S and fiduciary workstreams to facilitate the application of IFI standards in projects. MCDF is helping to promote these dynamics in Cambodia and Lao PDR, both MCDF donor countries, through its partnership-based information sharing activities and increasing number of grants supporting preparatory projects under implementation by AIIB.
They include a USD735,000 MCDF project preparation grant supporting the Road Development Program in Lao PDR and pre-concept paper support for the Project to Improve Regional Connectivity in Cambodia and the National Road 22 Tunnel Project in Lao PDR—both pre-approved under a USD2.96 million MCDF grant for the Joint 3-Year Program Supporting Infrastructure Connectivity in the ASEAN Region
“High-quality infrastructure projects that align with country-level and global sustainable development priorities stem from the convergence of strong partner collaboration, early engagement through preparatory studies, and the application of IFI standards in project planning and implementation, observed Ms. Kisa Mfalila, Senior ESG Advisor to the MCDF CEO, in closing remarks.
“Effectively managing environmental, social, and fiduciary risks and impacts, and harmonizing partner efforts, are key to fostering high-quality connectivity infrastructure investment and delivery. This is at the heart of MCDF’s mandate and reflected in its accelerating project preparation, capacity building, and information sharing activities in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and beyond,” Ms. Mfalila concluded.”
Contact
David Hendrickson
Senior Communications Officer
Mobile: +86 185 0114 6758
david.hendrickson@themcdf.org
