EBRD-NGO NewsletterKeeping you up-to-date with the EBRD

March 2009 EBRD-NGO Newsletter 1

The 18th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the associated 2009 Business Forum Investing for the Future: Opportunities in a Tougher Climate will take place at the EBRD Headquarters in London on 15-16 May 2009.

The impact of the credit crunch and the ensuing global financial crisis on the EBRD region will be the focus of panel discussions at the Business Forum. Themes will examine the crisis and the lessons to be learned, while looking to solutions that will provide for sustainable economic growth across the region.

The panel “Energy Efficiency and Climate Change: A Source of Economic Growth and Competitiveness” will evaluate the role of energy efficiency as an instrument to support economic activity, bolster competitiveness and address climate change. It will consider how prudent, creative investment in energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions can spur investment and economic growth.

Other specialised events will focus on railway and infrastructure investment, international financial architecture and capital markets.

In a special Women in Business event, successful women from the worlds of business, government, NGOs and the media will discuss the business and leadership challenges facing female entrepreneurs in times of financial and economic downturn.

The 2009 Country Discussion Forum will present an update on the current business climate and investment opportunities in the EBRD’s countries of operations and provide a forum to interact with representatives of national governments, as well as experts from the business and financial communities.

We welcome your active participation in the panel and country events as your questions and comments are crucial in aiding overall discussion and debate.

Annual Meeting: London 2009

Welcome to the NGO Newsletter 15

This issue provides an insight into the forthcoming Annual Meeting in London and the Civil Society Programme.

You will also read about the Bank’s recent dialogue with civil society, including NGOs meeting with the President and senior management, as well as about recent initiatives to promote energy efficiency in our countries of operations.

You will also find more information about the environmental review of ArcelorMittal’s operations, recent projects and events. As always, we keep you up-to-date with our consultation meetings and key strategies that are under review.

March 2009 In this edition

For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/new/am

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Investing for the Future: Opportunities in a Tougher Climate

EBRD Headquarters in London

Event à For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/oppor/ngo/am

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As in previous years, in parallel with the Business Forum we will hold the annual Civil Society Programme from Friday 15 to Sunday morning 17 May. Consultation meetings are designed to provide civil society stakeholders with the opportunity to interact with EBRD staff, senior management and Board Directors, and discuss issues of interest and concern regarding the Bank’s policies and major investment projects.

The formal part of the programme will consist of nine consultation meetings on a range of topics, including evolving transition priorities; social and environmental issues in the context of the global economic crisis; transparency and accountability; health and safety issues in mining; gender; sustainable energy; municipal and environmental infrastructure and transport investments; and project evaluation. Civil society organisations will also have an opportunity to discuss their major issues with Board of Directors and President Mirow. The draft agenda and background information for the meetings is available on the NGO dialogue web pages.

We would like to thank those of you who took part in our self-selection process and expressed willingness to participate in the Civil Society Programme. Please continue sending us your suggestions about issues and topics for discussion to help us prepare for a constructive dialogue and ensure that the relevant EBRD staff are present to provide comprehensive answers to your questions.

In order to encourage inclusive discussion and enable all civil society participants to express their views and concerns, we will retain the practice of having a joint chairperson from the NGO-side in each meeting. We encourage you to discuss and coordinate among yourselves regarding the chairing of each meeting. A preparatory meeting will be organised on Thursday afternoon 14 May to help ensure the smooth running of the Programme.

Please be advised that only registered participants will be permitted to enter the EBRD Headquarters during the Annual Meeting. There will be no on-site registration and “walk-ups” will not be allowed to enter the venue. Therefore, it is essential that you have your access pass with you.

We look forward to seeing you in London!

Civil Society Programme at the 2009 Annual Meeting

An oppor-tunity to discuss major issues of interest and concern

Civil Society Programme at the 2008 Annual Meeting in Kiev

For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/oppor/ngo/newàDialogue

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Over the years, the EBRD has engaged in a continuing dialogue with civil society organisations operating at the national, regional and international levels. In order to maintain the tradition of dialogue, President Mirow and senior management met the representatives of Human Rights Watch, Transparency International Russia, Global Witness, One World Trust and CEE Bankwatch at London Headquarters on 25 March.

The discussion was lively and constructive. The organisations presented their views and perspective’s on a wide range of topics. The main issues raised include: transparency and accountability of the Bank and its clients; the Bank’s approach

to public consultations and stakeholder engagement; human rights issues in Central Asia; and the implications of the global economic crisis on the Bank’s activities. With regards to projects, the Bank’s investments in ArcelorMittal and the potential financing of the Nabucco pipeline were raised.

The meeting marked a good start to the discussions with civil society organisations, which the Bank will continue during the Civil Society programme at the Annual Meeting in London.

The EBRD and the Energy Community hosted a Regional Energy Forum in Sarajevo on 30 and 31 March 2009, which focused on investment opportunities in electricity generation and the promotion of renewable energy sources. The Forum, “Investing in electricity generation and renewable energy”, highlighted the importance of investment and regional cooperation to promote energy security and energy efficiency along the entire energy value chain in the region of south-eastern Europe.

In preparation for the Civil Society Programme of the 2009 Annual Meeting and to introduce the new Head of the Sarajevo RO, Giulio Moreno, the representatives of seven local organisations from the Federation and Republika Srpska met Mr Moreno and Biljana Radonjic Ker-Lindsay, NGO Relations Manager on 6 March. It was the first opportunity for the Head of the RO to meet with the representatives of Bosnian civil society organisations working on issues such as environmental and sustainable development, development of civil society, gender and microfinance.

NGO participants were keen to learn about the Bank’s work in Bosnia and potential cooperation in the microfinance sector. NGOs voiced concerns about the EBRD’s investment in ArcelorMittal in Bosnia and Corridor 5 and urged the Bank to increase its investments in rail transport and renewable energy.

The EBRD has opened its fifth RO in Russia – in Rostov-on-Don. The Rostov office will cover 13 Russian regions, including the North Caucasus. The Bank now has five offices outside Moscow in St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Vladivostok, Samara and Rostov-on-Don. The expected opening of a

sixth RO in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk later this year will complete the footprint, giving the EBRD a permanent presence in each of Russia’s seven regional administrative groupings known as Federal Districts.

NGOs meet President Mirow and senior management

Sustainable Energy Initiative Phase 2: consultation workshop in Kiev Events

RO meets Bosnian civil society

New RO in Russia

A half-day multi - stakeholder consultation workshop on the Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) Phase 2 took place on 27 March in Kiev. Nearly 40 representatives of Ukrainian NGOs, think tanks, academia, private sector and relevant ministries took part in the meeting. A Moldovan organisation was also represented. Josue Tanaka, Corporate Director of Strategic and Corporate Planning, and Sergiy Maslichenko, Business Development manager at the Kiev Resident Office, shared the results from the SEI Phase 1

with the participants and sought their feedback on the Bank’s plans for the second phase. The discussion was very informative and productive. The civil society participants familiarised the Bank with the local context - both the potential and constraints - for promoting energy efficiency in Ukrainian cities and the use of biomass. The representatives of private companies presented several practical applications of new technologies to promote sustainable energy.

For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/oppor/ngo/consult/policy

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For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/country/country/russia

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For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/country/sector/energyef/enconf

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Regional Energy Forum in Sarajevo

For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/oppor/ngo/consult

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For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/oppor/ngo/consult/policy

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For more information visit: www.ebrd.com/ngoàIn brief

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Recent projects Key dates and contacts

Bank lending | Romania | Banca Comerciala Romania

The BCR transaction for on-lending to SMEs comes under the umbrella of the Joint International Financial Institutions (IFI) Action Plan, under which the EBRD joined forces with the World Bank and the EIB with the aim of investing a total of €24.5 billion in SMEs via the banking sectors in eastern Europe over the next two years.

Total project value: €100 million

Energy efficiency | Serbia | Banca Intesa

The EBRD has launched its first ever credit facility to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects by private companies in Serbia. The project will increase investments in energy efficiency and support the Serbian banking sector.

EBRD financing: €10 million

MSME | Uzbekistan | Shahboz Shahrom

Through the €1 million loan, the EBRD is supporting the growth and development of a privately owned carpet producer.

EBRD financing: €1 million

For general information about the EBRD visit: www.ebrd.com/aboutà

Board approval of country strategies

Turkey (public comments from 29/04/09 approx.)

14/07/2009

Estonia (public comments from 28/05/09 approx.)

28/07/2009

Lithuania (public comments from 28/05/09 approx.)

28/07/2009

FYR Macedonia (public comments from 03/08/09)

08/09/2009

Russia (public comments from 15/07/09 approx.)

22/09/2009

Board Consultation Visits

Belarus 08/06/2009

Ukraine 08/06/2009

Kazakhstan 14/09/2009

Uzbekistan 14/09/2009

Russia 12/10/2009

Turkey 09/11/2009

Albania 12/11/2009

FYR Macedonia 12/11/2009

Contacts

NGO Relations Unit

Biljana Radonjic Ker-Lindsay NGO Relations Manager Tel: +44 20 7338 7912 Olga Filippova NGO Relations Coordinator Tel: +44 20 7338 7765 Fax: +44 20 7338 6102 Email: ngo@ebrd.com European Bank for Reconstruction and DevelopmentOne Exchange Square London EC2A 2JN United Kingdom Web site: www.ebrd.com

Today the EBRD uses the tools of investment to help build market economies and democracies in countries from central Europe to central Asia.

Environmental strategic review of ArcelorMittalDue to significant changes in the overall investment plans of some of the ArcelorMittal operations in which the EBRD has invested, the Bank has identified the need to review the status of the implementation of the Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs) at these plants. The Bank has also received complaints from NGOs on various aspects of the environmental performance of the ArcelorMittal operations. Bearing these concerns in mind, the EBRD initiated dialogue at a senior corporate level with the ArcelorMittal management board in 2008. Also, during February and March 2009, EBRD bankers, environmental and social experts and external consultants conducted an environmental, health, safety and social monitoring review of each of the five ArcelorMittal operations in which the Bank is involved. We conducted site visits to FYR Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Romania and Kazakhstan. We met NGO representatives in Kazakhstan and Bosnia. At present, the Bank is reviewing the evidence collected during the trips. The findings will be presented by EBRD management to the relevant senior managers of ArcelorMittal. We will then revise and update, where appropriate, the ESAPs and will work with the company to achieve the targets set in these revised plans. The EBRD will also continue to work with ArcelorMittal to improve its dialogue with stakeholders, especially in Kazakhstan and Ukraine. To keep interested parties informed, the Bank will update project summary documents of the five projects with relevant information in late April.

For more information on EBRD projects visit: www.ebrd.com/projects

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