The EBRD’s accountability body (IPAM) reports a busy 2024 with 26 active cases and a sharpened focus on faster, higher-quality case handling. For Uzbekistan, three developments stand out. Our own complaint on Indorama Agro advanced: after IPAM’s Compliance Assessment in November 2024 found review criteria met, a full compliance investigation is now underway, with completion expected in early 2026. The review will examine environmental and social due diligence, labour conditions, stakeholder engagement and alleged reprisals.
Gender discrimination and GBVH concerns were registered regarding ACWA Power’s 500 MW Bash and 500 MW Dzhankeldy wind projects in Bukhara region. Filed by a former employee citing harassment, dismissals and poor camp conditions, the case moved straight to compliance assessment. IPAM notes this is its first gender-based violence case.
Finally, biodiversity risks at the 500 MW Zarafshon Wind project prompted a complaint about threats to bird species and site selection. Because other financiers’ mechanisms are also seized, IPAM has suspended its compliance assessment—at the complainant’s request—while IFC’s CAO leads dispute resolution, currently through 30 September 2025.
At the policy level, IPAM postponed its Project Accountability Policy review to 2025 to prioritise implementation fixes (team capacity, processing times, clearer compliance methodology), with the review slated to conclude in early 2026—changes that will shape how Central Asia cases, including Uzbekistan, are handled.
