ADB and UK Step Up Collaboration Against Poverty

SHANGHAI, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (11 May 2002) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) will strengthen collaboration in Asia and the Pacific in support of their shared vision of significantly reducing poverty in the region.

In a joint statement, the two agencies affirmed their commitment to enhancing their existing cooperation at both the institutional and operational levels.

They agreed to consider new ways of working together in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including the goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2015.

To this end, both agencies will consider committing resources to sharpen the anti-poverty focus of ADB's work in its poorer developing member countries. ADB and DFID will also collaborate on supporting projects that have clear poverty reduction objectives and demonstrate the viability of innovative approaches that can be adapted for use in other projects and programs.

Other areas of cooperation could include staff secondments to promote an exchange of ideas and expertise between the two agencies, and early consultations on proposed projects, programs and strategies at the country level.

Senior ADB and DFID staff will meet at least once a year to review progress and identify practical actions to further strengthen their collaboration. The joint ADB-DFID statement is being issued to all staff at both agencies to encourage cooperation at every level.

Pamposh Dhar
Tel: (63-2) 632-5937
Email: pdhar@adb.org