News and Events

News Release

Email this   printer friendly format

ADB President Affirms Commitment to NGOs

Shanghai, People's Republic of China (9 May 2002): In a meeting today with 50 representatives of nongovernment organizations (NGOs), Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Tadao Chino reaffirmed ADB's commitment to work closely with civil society to fight poverty in Asia and the Pacific.

During the hour-long meeting, on the eve of the 35th Annual Meeting of the ADB's Board of Governors, President Chino said: "Nongovernment organizations are significant players in the development process and I believe that, by working with you, ADB can improve the impact, sustainability, and quality of the services it provides to its developing member countries." Participants at the meeting included senior ADB officials, as well as staff of social welfare and development agencies, environmental groups, foundations, NGO associations, trade union alliances, and other nonprofit organizations working in the Asia and Pacific region.

A few speakers expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on the environment and local communities of certain ADB projects. Others applauded ADB's recent efforts to engage NGOs, and proposed that the development bank adopt a code of conduct for NGOs, incorporate international labor standards into its Operations Manual, and promote basic education for all in its developing member countries. One participant urged ADB to place a high priority on ensuring basic education for all in its developing member countries. The President expressed agreement, noting planned ADB support to the devastated primary education system in Afghanistan.

President Chino thanked NGO representatives for providing documentation on their project concerns, and assured them that ADB would examine them very carefully.

Over the past two years, ADB has substantially increased its resources for strengthening relationships with NGOs, establishing a central coordination unit, the NGO Center, in February 2001. ADB staff members regularly confer with local, national and international NGOs, which contribute to ADB's elaboration of country programs, formulation of policies, and the design and implementation of loan projects and technical assistance grants. NGOs are involved in over half of the 57 public projects funded by ADB during 2001.

Contacts