Asian Development Bank

ADB Triples Capital to Boost Poverty Reduction Efforts

The Board of Governors of ADB has agreed to triple its capital base from $55 billion to $165 billion, giving it much-needed resources to respond to the global economic crisis and to the longer term development needs of the Asia and the Pacific region. Voting by ADB's 67 member countries on a fifth general capital increase closed on 29 April, with an overwhelming majority of members endorsing it. The 200% increase is ADB's largest, and the first since ADB increased its capital by 100% in 1994. Details.

High-Level Dialogue: Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific - A Development Challenge

The region is home to more than half of the world's poor, who will suffer the most from the adverse impacts of climate change. Moreover, as a consequence of rapid and carbon-intensive economic growth, the region is fast becoming a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To help promote further action, ADB in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is convening the High-Level Dialogue. Details.

ADB Signs Declaration Calling on Transport Sector to Curb Emissions

While developed countries are still responsible for the largest share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector, emissions from developing countries - particularly in Asia - are growing rapidly. Transport-related carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase 57% from 2005 to 2030, with transport sectors in developing countries expected to contribute about 80% of this increase. News release.

Eminent Persons to Advise ADB on Climate Change

ADB announced the establishment of an Advisory Group of seven eminent persons to advise the ADB on how to strengthen its programs to meet the global challenge of climate change. "To deal with these complex issues, I am pleased to announce that I have established an advisory group of internationally recognized climate change experts to help us develop programs relevant to the region in the medium- and long-term," Mr. Kuroda said. Details.

New Transmission Line Brings Stable Power Supply to Kabul for First Time in Decades

For the first time in decades, Kabul is receiving a steady supply of electricity thanks to a major new transmission line linking Afghanistan's capital with neighboring Uzbekistan. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is one of the largest partners in constructing a 420-kilometer transmission corridor carrying electricity across some of the most challenging mountainous terrain on earth. Details.

$5M Grant to Help Central and West Asia Cope with Climate Change

ADB Board of Directors has approved a US$5 million grant to help Central and West Asia address the impacts of climate change on the region. The assistance will be through policy and capacity development and supporting investments in climate change adaptation. Details.

Coral Triangle Leaders Adopt Plan to Manage Coastal and Marine Resources

ADB supports six Asia and Pacific nations to endorse a Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) agreement that lays out a plan of action to ensure the sustainability of their shared coastal and marine resources. The Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security Plan of Action was signed by heads of state from the six countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. Details.

ADB Prices US$3 Billion Five-Year Global Bond Issue

ADB returned to the US dollar bond market with the pricing of a US$3 billion five-year global benchmark bond issue. The proceeds will be part of its ordinary capital resources and used in its non-concessional operations. The transaction was lead-managed by Deutsche, HSBC, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. A syndicate group was also formed consisting of Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Citi, Credit Suisse, Daiwa, Dresdner, Mizuho, Nomura, RBC, and UBS. Details.

ERO revamped its website, July 2009

The European Representative Office of the ADB revamped its website providing a distinct visual identity and user friendly features. Our aim is to serve and inform our audience and partners with the latest ADB news most effectively. We care about your opinion, and will be pleased to receive your comments and inquiries. adbero@adb.org

www.adb.org/ero

Understanding and Responding to Climate Change in Developing Asia

To better align its investments and associated policy and institutional support with the priorities of its developing member countries relating to climate and development each of ADB's five regional departments-covering Central and West Asia, East Asia, the Pacific, South Asia, and Southeast Asia-has drafted a Climate Change Implementation Plan to serve as a guide for climate-related responses, both to mitigate greenhouse emissions and to adapt to climate change impacts. Details.

The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review

This report provides a review of the economics of climate change in the Southeast Asian region. It confirms that the region is highly vulnerable to climate change and demonstrates that a wide range of adaptation measures are already being applied. The report also shows that the region has a great potential to contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction, and that the costs to the region and globally of taking no early action against climate change could be very high. Details.

Under the Weather and the Rising Tide: Adapting to a Changing Climate in Asia and the Pacific

Many countries of Asia and the Pacific are at great risk from the anticipated impacts of human induced climate change. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of natural disasters such as tropical storms and severe droughts and floods. It will also lead to sea level rise and coastal inundation, precipitate more forest fires, increase environmental stressors on crop production and aquaculture as well as the incidence of heat-related and infectious diseases. Details

Climate Change - ADB Programs: Strengthening Mitigation and Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific

Find out about ADB's ongoing and emerging climate change mitigation and adaptation program, and how ADB stands ready to play a catalytic role in helping Asia and the Pacific region meet the challenges brought about by climate change. Details.

Pan-Asian Integration: Linking East and South Asia

This book dissects the growing economic ties between China and India and makes a compelling case for Pan-Asian integration - with an eye on the two giants as not only the critical growth poles in Asia, but as the focal points for trade-led recovery. Details.

The Global Economic Crisis: Challenges for Developing Asia and ADB's Response

This paper provides a brief overview of the evolving economic crisis in developing Asia and the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) response. Details.

Sustainability Report 2009

The second Sustainability Report of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) makes information readily available on our continued work on promoting environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive growth, and minimizing our corporate environment footprint. This update of ADB's first Sustainability Report, published in 2007, provides information about and data on our operations and Strategy 2020, ADB's new long-term strategic framework. Details.

Learning for Change in ADB

The rapidly changing-and, at times, excessively complex-nature of development work demands diverse competences from aid agencies such as the Asian Development Bank. The learning challenges these present require the ability to work more reflectively in a turbulent practice environment. Details.

ADB Portals and websites

• ADB Review
• ADF - Asian Development Fund
• ARIC - Asia Regional Integration Center
• Business and Consulting Opportunities
• Clean Energy
• European Representative Office
• ADB Safeguard Policy Update
• ADBI - Asian Development Bank Institute
• Managing for Development Results
• Online Media Center / News Alerts
• Management Speeches
• Water for All

ADB publications

• Annual Report 2008
• Asian Development Outlook 2009
• Asian Development Outlook 2008
• Asian Development Outlook 2008 Update
• Asia Economic Monitor
• Asia Bond Monitor
• Development Asia
• Factsheets on European Member Countries
• Key Indicators 2008
• Water for All Newsletter
• Partnership Newsletter (for NGOs)
• Publications Alert
• Strategy 2020
• Water for All Newsletter

For speeches of Senior ADB staff, please visit the Speeches section.

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Contacts
Antonio Andrea Monari, Resident Director General, amonari@adb.org
Yohana Kho, Senior Liaison Specialist, ykho@adb.org
Ara Y. Kazandjian, External Relations Officer, akazandjian@adb.org

Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Representative Office (ERO)
Rahmhofstrasse 2 - 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Tel +49 69 2193 6400, E-mail: adbero@adb.org