The World Bank is facing growing criticism over its involvement in the Rogun Dam project in Tajikistan. Environmental and human rights groups have accused the institution of neglecting key procedures meant to protect the environment and local communities.
On April 8, the World Bank’s independent Inspection Panel announced it had registered a formal Request for Inspection—a step that could lead to a full investigation. Bank officials have three weeks to respond to the complaint before the panel decides whether to proceed.
The complaint was filed in February by two citizens from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with support from Rivers without Boundaries, an environmental group based in Kazakhstan. They argue that the Rogun hydropower project poses serious risks to the region’s ecosystems and millions of people who depend on the Amu Darya River.
According to a statement from Rivers without Boundaries, the project was approved despite relying on an outdated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The group says this report fails to reflect the full scope of environmental and cross-border risks linked to the dam.
The Rogun Dam, still under construction, is expected to cost over $8 billion. Critics describe it as one of the most expensive and inefficient ways to address Tajikistan’s energy needs. A 2024 study by Rivers without Boundaries warns the project may become obsolete before it is completed.
In December, the World Bank approved a $350 million grant to support the first phase of construction. If completed as planned, Rogun would be the tallest dam in the world and produce 3,600 megawatts of electricity each year. The Bank has promoted the project as a clean energy initiative that will benefit both Tajikistan and neighboring countries.
However, the Inspection Panel has found the complaint credible and not without merit. It notes that the complaint accuses the Bank of relying on faulty and outdated data. It also warns that filling the dam’s reservoir could reduce the Amu Darya River’s flow by at least 25 percent, threatening the water supply for up to 10 million people downstream.
One of the strongest claims in the complaint is that affected communities in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were not informed or consulted about the project. The Inspection Panel echoed concerns that the required safeguard documents were not disclosed.
As the Inspection Panel reviews whether to launch a formal investigation, environmental groups are calling for immediate action. Rivers without Boundaries has urged the World Bank and other financial backers to suspend funding for Rogun until a full, independent review is completed and safeguards are put in place.
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