How does ADB protect whistleblowers and witnesses?
ADB adopted its whistleblower and witness protection provisions in December 2009 (AO 2.10), which provide that ADB will pursue all reasonable steps to protect these individuals acting in good faith and to ensure that they are not subject to retaliation. Protection is extended to both ADB staff and external whistleblowers and witnesses. The Director General, BPMSD, in coordination with the Head, OAI, is responsible for the overall implementation of this AO. A key component of whistleblower and witness protection, as it relates to ADB’s Anticorruption Policy, is ADB’s firm position that the source of any allegation or evidence is to be treated with utmost confidentiality. OAI has reinforced that policy through its operating principles, which emphasize that OAI will: • Make its best effort to encourage and protect whistleblowers and witnesses • Limit the circulation of any information regarding an investigation strictly to those with a need to know • Engage appropriate officials to identi
