2004 Annual Meeting

To Editors, Business and Financial Editors, Bureau Chiefs and Correspondents

You are cordially invited to attend the Thirty-Seventh Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which will be held in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, from Saturday, 15 May, to Monday, 17 May 2004.

Invitations are being sent to journalists by e-mail in early 2004. However, for some reason, if you do not receive an invitation and would like to attend the Meeting, please e-mail Ian Gill at igill@adb.org or Gilda Nanquil at gnanquil@adb.org and we will make sure you receive an invitation.

Governors of ADB's 63 members, including some Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, are expected to attend. Representatives from banks, other international financial institutions, and NGOs will also be present.

The Opening Session will take place in the International Convention Center (ICC), Jeju Island, on Saturday, 15 May. Business Sessions will also be held in ICC on Sunday, 16 May and Monday, 17 May. The last Business Session will end at about 12:00 noon on Monday, 17 May.

Video and Photo Coverage

Please note that video and photographic coverage of the Opening Session at the International Convention Center (ICC) on Saturday, 15 May, will be open to accredited TV crews and photographers. The opening ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m. but camera crews and photographers are advised to arrive by 9:00 a.m. to clear security. There will be an area designated for photographers and camera crews. Photographers will be allowed closer to the podium for the first few minutes of the speeches. Mult boxes will be available for live sound. Video and photographic coverage of the Business Sessions at ICC will also be permitted. Platforms will also be installed for this purpose.

Seminars

Government, private sector, and civil society representatives will share their views on key development and financial issues from 13 to 17 May 2004.

Registration

Please note that your invitation will include a URL and a user ID and password that will enable you to access a registration site and register. Thus, all registration will be online and the deadline for online registration is April 1.

Identification badges entitling the holder to attend sessions of the Board of Governors will be issued at the Registration Desks. You need to present your passport to claim your badge. The Registration Desks will be open daily from 13 May to 17 May. The badge should be worn at all times in the Meeting areas and at official events.

Please note that, unless we are advised otherwise in writing, your name and position may be disclosed to other organizations through conference documentation for purposes of issuing invitations to other functions related to the Meeting.

Media Facilities

A fully-equipped Media Center will be set up for journalists at the ICC. Staffed by ADB's Office of External Relations, it will have desk space for more than 100 journalists and booths for news agencies. The Media Center will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. starting on Thursday, 13 May, until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, 17 May.

Full communication services will be available. However, media are advised to bring their own notebook computers. Telephones will have computer link facilities for local as well as international calls. Internet services will be provided. All phone and fax services will be provided on a user-pay basis.

Closed-circuit television coverage of the Opening and Business Sessions will be provided at the Media Center. Information on press conferences and other events of interest will be posted on bulletin boards.

Hyperlinking

We would like to hyperlink your stories during the Annual Meeting to our web site. Please let us have your e-mail address (the editorial e-mail address in addition to your individual e-mail address).

Media Briefing and Cocktails

A media briefing will be given by Media Liaison Specialist Ian Gill at the International Convention Center at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, 13 May. The briefing will be followed by cocktails.

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation for all participants will be handled by Intercom Convention Services, Inc.

Shipment/Display of Publications

The financial and business media are welcome to display their publications during the Annual Meeting in the ICC from 13 to 17 May 2004.

The official cargo handler for the Annual Meeting is Hanjin Transportation Co., Ltd.

All expenses for the shipment of publications to the Annual Meeting are for the account of media. Media are also responsible for customs clearance in Jeju Island and the delivery of publications to the media center and the publications display center in the ICC.

Internet Information

Queries

Media queries on the Annual Meeting may be addressed to Mr. Ian Gill, Media Liaison Specialist, at:

Asian Development Bank
P.O. Box 789
Manila 0980, Philippines
Telephone: +63-2 632-5890 (direct) or +63-2 632-5878
Fax: +63-2 636-2641 or +63-6 636-2640
E-mail: igill@adb.org

Annual Meeting 2004

Invitation to Media

37th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank