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ADB Review [ July - August 2004 ]

ADB must work closely with civil society groups if it is to meet its commitment to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific, ADB President tells NGOs

"We believe that by working with NGOs, the effectiveness, sustainability, and quality of our development services are enhanced"

Robert Dobias
Director, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Social Sectors Division
ADB’s Regional and Sustainable Development Department

JEJU, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

ADB will not fully deliver on its commitment to poverty reduction and improved development effectiveness unless it works closely with civil society, said ADB President Tadao Chino during a meeting with nongovernment organizations (NGOs) on the eve of the 37th Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors.

Mr. Chino made the remark during a wide-ranging discussion on development topics with a group of NGOs from ADB’s member countries, continuing a tradition of face-to-face consultations during his tenure as ADB President.

“Our cooperation with civil society has continued to grow and deepen through our regular consultations,” he told the NGOs, who raised concerns on issues including accountability, appropriate development, environment, assistance to the disabled, and the participation of youth.

ADB has long realized the benefits of working with NGOs. In the past few years, it has been increasing the number and quality of its consultations at the policy, program, and project levels. Noting the strong contribution that civil society has made during the preparation of recent policies, including the new accountability mechanism, he encouraged civil society inputs into the ongoing consultations on the draft Public Communications Policy.

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He also requested feedback on the implementation of ADB’s cooperation framework with NGOs and governments. In May 2003, Mr. Chino endorsed the “ADB-Government-NGO Cooperation: A Framework for Action 2003–2005,” ADB’s first institution-wide work plan for trilateral cooperation in the context of ADB operations.

Cooperation with civil society is embedded in major strategic plans such as the ADB’s Medium-Term Strategy (2001–2005) and the Long-Term Strategic Framework (2001–2015).

“We believe that by working with NGOs, the effectiveness, sustainability, and quality of our development services are enhanced,” said Robert Dobias, Director, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Social Sectors Division of ADB’s Regional and Sustainable Development Department.

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