In this issue, read about ADB's vision for managing the growth of Asia's cities, its seven-point agenda to prioritize water investments, a newly launched "knowledgehubs" network to address the region's water problems, and $1.3 billion pledge for Afghanistan. Featured is a poor Nepalese housewife whose life is being turned around by a livestock program. Also, find out the latest on ADB events, publications, opportunities, and operations.
With Asia's cities growing by more than 100,000 people a day, a major rethink is needed on how cities should manage this growth, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda told the World Cities Summit in Singapore. A publication on Managing Asian Cities launched at the event outlines how the region's cities can meet the enormous challenges ahead.
ADB unveiled a seven-point agenda to prioritize water investments in the Asia and Pacific region at a summit of regional water leaders in Singapore. The new agenda calls for more investments in rural water services to boost agricultural productivity and ease escalating food prices.
A new network of ADB-supported "knowledgehubs" was launched to tackle the many pressing water challenges in a region where 650 million lack access to clean water and 2 billion are without adequate sanitation.
ADB pledged at a donor conference in Paris up to $1.3 billion over the next five years in new assistance for Afghanistan to finance roads, electricity, and irrigation facilities.
ADB and World Economic Forum brought together leading private sector and development partners for a roundtable discussion to explore ways to catalyze private sector investment in developing Asia.
The demand for higher education is expected to double in 5 years and triple in 10 years in many of ADB's developing member countries, according to a new study. Many of the graduates of current education systems in Asia lack technical and business skills, requiring a greater emphasis on technical and vocational education and training.
ADB Supports Expansion of District Energy System to Improve Energy Efficiency in China ADB and Paris-based Dalkia Group will finance a series of district heating, district cooling, and cogeneration projects in the People's Republic of China to improve energy efficiency and reduce air pollution. ADB will provide a loan of up to CNY1.4 billion ($201.3 million).
ADB Funds Viet Nam Hydro Project ADB will provide Viet Nam with a $196 million loan to construct a hydroelectric facility that will ease growing power shortages.
The Carbon Market Initiative was launched by Country Director Gil-Hong Kim and Energy, Transport and Water Division Director Woochong Um, with Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice Minister of Planning Investment.
"Asia's rapid urbanization is unprecedented. Some 1.1 billion people will move to cities in the next 20 years and by 2020, half the population of Asia will live in cities, including its 11 megacities. Providing jobs and services while improving the livelihood and quality of life for so many city dwellers is an urban management task of a magnitude never before attempted by humanity," ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said in his speech at the World Cities Summit and Water Leaders' Summit in Singapore on 25 June 2008.
Padma Bhitriya was a poor housewife eking out a tenuous living with her husband among a modest patch of rice and buck wheat fields on the mountainous terraces of Palpa Valley in Nepal. An innovative livestock project turned her life around and changed her from being an "untouchable" to a respected and well-off member of her village.
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July 2008
