About the Annual Meeting

Annual Meetings are occasions for the Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB) 59 member countries to report on the economies and the ADB, and the operations, administration, and future directions of ADB. Finance ministers and senior treasury officials of member countries, representatives of the multilateral development bank community, investment bankers, NGO representatives, and journalists attend.

Annual Meetings are generally held in May for three days, preceded by a forum of public seminars. Seminars are on topical issues such as governance, poverty reduction, the international finance architecture, and the role of information technology in development. Speakers and panelists include leading world experts.

Every year, the Board of Governors of the ADB holds its Annual Meeting in one of the ADB's member countries to discuss progress on the work of the ADB and a range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic and social development and development finance.

The Annual Meeting traditionally takes place in four sessions: an Opening Session on the morning of the first day; two business sessions in the morning and afternoon of the second day; and a third business session in the morning of the third day. The Meeting concludes at about 12:00 noon on the third day.

Prior to the meeting of the Board of Governors, a program of seminars on issues related to the Bank's mandate and member country presentations are held. These facilitate the interaction of member governments with ADB staff, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), media, representatives of observer countries, international organizations, academe and the private sector. Other ancillary meetings and social events arranged by the ADB and the Host Country are held over the period of the Meeting.

In excess of 3,000 participants attend the Annual Meeting, including about 400 delegates from the ADB's 59 member countries, about 400 representatives of the media, 100 observers, 100 NGOs and the balance drawn primarily from private businesses, including the banking community, strictly by invitation. In addition, ADB staff participate in the meeting.