Reprinted with Emda permission 11 May 2002

NGOs at Istanbul Annual Meeting of ADB

Cooperation of European NGOs and Development Agencies with ADB

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recognizes NGOs as significant players in the development process and cooperates with them to improve the impact, sustainability and quality of its services.

ADB works with both operational and advocacy NGOs at local, national and international levels, including humanitarian and relief agencies, community-based organizations, mobilization networks, foundations, trade unions and others.

Since several years, Emda, a European development agency and an association of NGOs, has had strong operational ties in the developing member countries (DMCs) of ADB.

Emda Pacific maintains an office in Fiji as a local registered foundation, whereas an operational unit in Vietnam is under preparation. In other countries, operational relations exist with local partner NGOs.

The organization contributed to the establishment of the ADB NGO Center and has expressed its continued support in NGO development initiatives of ADB.

As a member of the platform of the NGO-EU Network in the Netherlands, Emda is intent to work through this networking facility to strengthen consultation and cooperation between NGOs in Europe and ADB.

Whereas there is strong relationship of these NGOs with the European Commission, a similar situation with ADB does not yet exist in spite of their involvement in developing projects in the DMCs of the ADB.

In view of the Annual Meeting in Istanbul in May 2003, ADB plans a promotion program for NGOs in Europe in October 2002.

Emda will take care of the preparation and coordination, in close consultation with the donor countries involved and the NGO-EU Network.

The initiative might in future lead towards a stronger involvement of European NGOs in ADB's activities.