Draft Safeguard Policy Available for Comment
As part of ADB's Safeguard Policy Update, a second draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement is available for comment until 4 December 2008. ADB encourages all stakeholders to review the document and provide their comments on our dedicated forum.
Pacific
ADB launched a study on technical and vocational education and training that highlights major findings and future strategies in Pacific countries. It also captures many good practices from around the world, that are applicable to the Pacific. Download the study.
Developing Asia Facing Sharp Upturn in Inflation
Developing Asian economies will experience a slowdown in growth and a sharp rise in inflation in 2008-2009, the update to ADB's flagship economic report warns. ADO 2008 Update revises growth forecasts for nine economies and examines medium-term prospects by subregion. Read the news release.
ADB Unveils Aid Package for Georgia
ADB is providing its first-ever public sector loan in the South Caucasus country of Georgia to help rehabilitate water supply, sanitation, waste management and road transport services, and rebuild other infrastructure that may have been damaged in the recent conflict with Russia. Read the news release.
ADB Urban Day 2008 to Promote Livable Cities
Participants from national and local governments, the international community, private sector, civil society, and academia will gather next week at ADB's Headquarters to discuss pressing urban issues and help shape ADB's urban initiatives in line with its Strategy 2020. Learn more about the event.
Introducing the Asian Poverty Line
A special chapter in a new ADB publication — Key Indicators 2008 — offers a new way to measure poverty in the Asia and Pacific region, and also assesses the most commonly accepted methods of comparing international poverty levels. Read the news release.
World Water Week Addresses Asia's Challenges
ADB and partners are organizing "Asia Day" at this year's Stockholm World Water Week—the first time that the region's water sector will be given special focus. Latest developments in water supply and sanitation, irrigation, and basin management will be discussed. Learn more about the event.
Fighting Bribery in Public Procurement in Asia and the Pacific
A new ADB publication compiles the experience of experts from Asian and Pacific countries – as well as beyond the region – in addressing weaknesses in frameworks and practices for protecting public procurement from bribery and corruption risks. Download the book.
ADB Committed to Support Gender Equality
ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda became the latest recipient of the MDG3 Champion Torch, adding new commitments to support gender equality and women's empowerment—the third of the Millennium Development Goals that world leaders have pledged to achieve by 2015. Read the news release.
From the Ground Up: Experiences in Empowering Poor Communities
As the gap between rich and poor widens, governments are recognizing that giving poor communities a greater say in development initiatives promotes social equity. ADB launches this week a book, "From the Ground Up: Case Studies in Community Empowerment", that features the success stories of these communities. Read the feature.
Entries Open for 2008 Developing Asia Journalism Awards
The ADB Institute is again sponsoring the Developing Asia Journalism Awards (DAJA) to acknowledge Asian and Pacific print journalists who cover the region's development trends and their impacts. The awards will be presented in Tokyo in November. Read the news release.
Emerging Asian Regionalism — A Partnership for Shared Prosperity
As Asia grows and prospers, its economies are increasingly vital to each other — and to the world. An ADB study details the emergence of a new form of regionalism in Asia based on market-led economic integration and supported by cooperation initiatives. Download the study
Asia-Pacific Knowledge Hubs Launched to Tackle Water Problems
ADB is supporting the Asia-Pacific Water Forum's Knowledge Hubs initiative, launched as a network of 12 regional hubs to tackle the region's many pressing water challenges, including urban water management, climate change adaptation, and integrated water resources management. Read the news release.
ADB joins this week the first-ever World Cities Summit in Singapore. Coinciding with the Singapore International Water Week 2008, the event is drawing officials, experts, and leaders to discuss urbanization and best practices for sustainable development of cities. Learn more about the event.
Combating Desertification in Asia
This week marks World Desertification Day, highlighting an issue now intensified by climate change and affecting two fifths of Asia's land area and the livelihoods of millions. ADB is introducing sustainable land management systems to combat land degradation and the processes leading to it. Learn more about desertification.
Responding to Asia's Climate Change and Energy Security Needs
Policymakers, private sector firms, and NGOs across Asia are pursuing clean energy approaches that address the growing challenges of climate change and energy security. In recognition of this vital work, ADB and cooperating partners are hosting next week the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2008. Learn more about the event.
Railways of the People's Republic of China: Changing Lives
China's railways have been instrumental in developing the national economy. Two new reports review the positive impacts of ADB projects, and evaluate the major challenges and opportunities facing railways in the country.
ADB Offers Massive Financial Support for Food Crisis
ADB's 41st Annual Meeting closed in Madrid with President Haruhiko Kuroda announcing $500 million in immediate support to tackle rising food costs in Asia and the Pacific and $2 billion in agriculture lending for 2009. Read the news release.
A New ADB in a Rapidly Changing Asia-Pacific
ADB is set for a change in the way it serves its developing member countries in a rapidly evolving and dynamic Asia-Pacific region, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said at the official opening of the organization's 41st Annual Meeting in Madrid. Read the speech and the news release.
2007: Another Banner Year for ADB and Developing Asia
ADB's loan approvals grew to $10.1 billion last year, the highest in its 41-year history, amid strong growth in the Asia and Pacific region. ADB's operations, activities, and results over the year are presented in the 2007 Annual Report. Read the news release.
ADB Launches New Long-Term Strategy
To fight poverty in a region of more than 600 million poor people surviving on $1 a day, Strategy 2020 will refocus ADB operations on three development agendas—inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Read the news release.
Revitalizing the Ancient Tea Horse Roads
With the opening this week of the ADB-supported Route 3 Highway in Lao PDR, the last remaining stretch of road linking Kunming in the People's Republic of China and Bangkok, Thailand, is now in place. Communities now have better access to schools, health centers, commodities, and markets. Read the feature.
Celebrating International Women's Day 2008
As it joins the world in celebrating International Women's Day 2008, ADB has put forward a plan that renews its commitment to gender mainstreaming and identifies how operations will continue to lead to tangible achievements in gender equality and women's empowerment. Read the Gender and Development Plan of Action.
WTO Accession: Challenges and Opportunities for Railways in China
A new report evaluates some of the major issues for railways in the People's Republic of China arising from World Trade Organization accession. Key policy recommendations are commercializing the operations and separating regulation from the enterprise functions of the Ministry of Railways. Download the report.
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