New guidelines on impact assessments almost ready
Civil society groups are getting closer to unveiling a new set of guidelines that will change how the impact of big development projects is assessed across the Mekong region, NGOs said on November 1, following the end of a two-month public consultation period. Activists, however, remained sceptical on November 1 that the guidelines would have the intended effect, given what they characterised as the government’s failure to abide by similar regulations already in place. The Regional Guidelines on Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment – slated to be signed in May – will promote citizen involvement in assessing the potential impact of projects like hydropower dams, power plants and mines. The first draft was drawn up by a regional working group with the help of advisers from the US and EU. The public consultation period for the draft closed on October 31 with over 2,000 comments collected. Organisations involved in the process say the guidelines will change the conversation around development projects by giving a voice to those directly affected by them.
