Government leaders - including Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors - as well as business leaders, investment bankers, government officials, academics, journalists, and representatives of international organizations and nongovernment organizations from around the world will gather in Japan's historical and cultural city of Kyoto from 4 to 7 May 2007, for the 40th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The meeting will be held at the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto)

ADB is Asia's leading development institution and a center for knowledge in economics, development and regional integration. Because the annual meeting brings such a large number of member country officials together, it provides opportunities for dialogue and discussions, both large and small, formal and informal.

Many of Asia's best minds will be participating in the Seminar Series that will tackle topics ranging from Asia, 10 years after the crisis, and visions of a borderless Asia, to clean energy and the environment and ageing Asia.

A detailed program of events is now available. Accredited media are invited to cover ADB's 40th Annual Meeting. Only registered journalists with official badges will have access to the meetings and seminars.

Learn more about the Key Issues to be discussed in Kyoto by watching the online interview with Managing Director-General Rajat M. Nag.

On-line media registration for the Annual Meeting 2007 closed 19 April 2007. Those who did not can do so at the site when registration opens on 3 May 2007 at 8:30 AM to 6 PM. The Registration Desks will be located at the Prince Hall of the Grand Prince Hotel, adjacent to the Kyoto International Conference Center. Applicants will be asked to provide substantive evidence of professional bona fides. Acceptable media credentials include those issued by local and national authorities, or a recognized professional association of journalists. If such credentials are not held, or are in question, it will be at the discretion of the ADB to determine whether access to the Annual Meeting is granted.

Requests for accreditation will be denied if applicants cannot establish they are professional journalists, or if the applications are incomplete. ADB's Media team will be on site to assist on queries pertaining to accreditation.

Identification badges allowing access to sessions of the Board of Governors will be issued at the Registration Desks. You will need to present your passport to claim your badge. Media based in Japan may present other officially issued photographic identification documents. Registration Desks will be open daily until 7 May. The badge should be worn at all times in meeting areas and at official events.

Unless ADB is 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.

Broadcast networks and organizations seeking accreditation for a large number of staff are requested to submit a single request listing staff by name and job description via email to gnanquil@adb.org or fax to (63-2) 636-2641.

Freelance journalists, including photographers, must provide clear evidence they are assigned from a specific news organization or publication. A valid assignment letter from that news organization, or publication, is required. Freelance journalists should also provide proof of accreditation with their national governments. Photographic agencies must provide evidence from client news organization or publication. Documentation cannot be processed after 25 April 2007.

Journalists who have been approved for accreditation can pick up credentials starting from 8 a.m. on 4 May 2007 at the Registration Desk, Prince Hall in the Takaragaike Prince Hotel adjacent to the ICC Kyoto. Journalists are required to present credentials and photo identification.

The ADB's Media Relations Unit handles requests for interviews with ADB Management and officials during the Meeting. However, ADB Media Officers do not service interview requests for member government delegations to the Meeting. Those requests must be forwarded directly to the delegations.

Details about video and audio transmission arrangements from ICC Kyoto will follow later.

A media briefing will be held on Friday, 4 May 2007 at 11:30 a.m. at the ICC Kyoto. The ADB President is expected to be present. This will be followed by luncheon.

The ADB President is also scheduled to host a closing press conference on 7 May 2007. Details will be posted later.

A schedule of press briefings by other ADB officials will be posted at the Media Center.

A fully equipped Media Center will be set up at the Prince Hall, Takaragaike Prince Hotel, located adjacent to ICC Kyoto. Staffed by ADB's Media Relations Unit, it will have desk space for more than 100 journalists and booths for news agencies. The Media Center will be open 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily from Thursday, 3 May, until Monday, 7 May.

Technicians for financial news wires and other accredited news organizations may contact gnanquil@adb.org for set-up and special arrangements and allocation of booths.

The media center has a limited number of computers and operates on a first come, first served basis. Full communication services will be available. 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 set-up. Information on press conferences, press briefings and other events of interest will be posted on bulletin boards.

The opening session will be held at the ICC Kyoto on Sunday, 6 May 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Business Sessions will also be held in the ICC Kyoto on Sunday, 6 May, and Monday, 7 May. The last Business Session will end at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday, 7 May, followed by a press conference with the ADB President.

Only registered journalists with official badges will have access to the meetings and seminars. See detailed program of events.

You can also refer to the key media events. [ PDF: 35kb | 2 pages ]

Video and photographic coverage of the Opening Session at the ICC Kyoto on Sunday, 6 May, will be open to accredited TV crews and photographers. The ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m. 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. Video and photographic coverage of the Business Sessions at ICC Kyoto will also be permitted. Platforms will be installed for this purpose.

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

You will be able to book through a link in the registration form, which will be posted on 15 January.

All external publications including newspapers, periodicals and magazines, intended for display at the Annual Meeting must be approved by ADB. Read the guidelines on the display and distribution of external publications.

The Publisher shall pay ADB a handling fee of $1,000 per title. ADB will issue an invoice for payment upon acceptance of the Publisher's request to display. A Contract of Agreement will be signed by ADB and the Pubisher after full payment has been made.

Subject to ADB approval, publishers wishing to send publications should contact the official cargo handler:

Contact Person: Mr. Shunsuke Kondo
International Cargo Sales Dept.
Kyoto Air Service Branch
Nippon Express
2 Shirogamae-cho, Kamitoba, Minami-ku, Kyoto 601-8137 Japan
TEL: +81-75-681-4515
FAX: +81-75-682-1660
E-mail: ky1-osa@air.nittsu.co.jp

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 Kyoto and the delivery of publications to the media center and the publications display center in the ICC Kyoto.

Media queries on the Annual Meeting may be addressed to Omana Nair, Head, Media Relations, at:

Asian Development Bank
No. 6 ADB Avenue
1550 Mandaluyong City
Philippines
Telephone: (632) 632-5178 (direct) or (632) 632-5878
Fax: (632) 636-2641 or (632) 636-2640
E-mail: onair@adb.org