Multilateral Development Banks and Law and Development Projects in Asia: Experiences and Directions

Abstract

Beyond their traditional lending in sovereign and non-sovereign operations in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, and social services, multilateral development banks (MDBs) have included law and development projects in line with their mandates on economic development and poverty reduction. The spectrum of law and development activities has been broad-ranging from strengthening legal education to enhancing debate on judicial independence to promoting judicial reform projects and supporting initiatives on environmental justice. This article examines the roles played by MDBs in promoting law and development, and analyses four case studies of law and development projects (two from the World Bank and two from the Asian Development Bank). The article summarises the experiences learned by these institutions over the years and discusses the directions taken. The article concludes with recommendations on the measures that can be taken by these institutions, as well as other organisations, in continuing to engage with law and development projects.