 Around 30 donor government representatives, selected recipient countries, senior ADB Management and staff met in Lao PDR from 26 to 28 November to continue discussions on the Asian Development Fund (ADF), an endowment used to provide grants and low-interest loans to countries with low per capita incomes and limited debt-repayment capacity.
While many Asia-Pacific nations have experienced unprecedented economic growth in recent years, non-income poverty remains pervasive, and 1.5 billion people in Asia still live on less than $2 a day.
The ADF meeting was the first in an ADF recipient country, hosted by the government of Lao PDR, and was the second in a series of meetings to negotiate the tenth replenishment of the ADF for 2009-2012 (ADF X).
The meeting focused on resource demands and financing under ADF X, as well as ADF support for regional cooperation, weakly performing countries and climate change. Participants also discussed progress on ADB’s reform agenda, and noted the preliminary findings of an evaluation of ADF VIII and IX by the independent Evaluation Department. A field visit during the last day of the gathering permitted donor delegates to witness first-hand the implementation of ADF projects in Lao PDR. Read more.
The first meeting was hosted by Australia in Sydney from 13 to 14 September. Read more.
The next ADF meeting is scheduled for March 2008 in Manila, Philippines.
ADB President Calls for Renewed Development Strategies at ASEAN Summit
As climate change threatens future growth, East Asian countries need to renew development strategies for making their economies energy efficient, diversifying their energy portfolio, and planning to lessen the impacts of natural disasters. See speech by ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda.
 Asian Water Development Outlook: Developing Asia Must Rethink Water Management to Avoid Crisis
To avoid a crisis in water security, developing countries in Asia will have to rethink how they manage their vital water resources, according to a new report commissioned by ADB. Read more. Download the full report.
 Ministerial Conference on Aid for Trade in ADB, Manila
On 19 September, major donors expressed willingness to help small and weak States in Asia and the Pacific to increase trade and reap the benefits of globalization. Senior government officials and World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy participated in the conference. See opening remarks by ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda.
 Review of ADB's Long-Term Strategic Framework
ADB Managing Director General Rajat Nag opened the regional consultations in Tokyo and Frankfurt. Similar meetings were held in Beijing, Delhi, Washington, Ottawa, Bangkok, Bishkek, Tashkent and Koror. See opening remarks.
 2007 Millennium Development Goals Report
The joint World Bank, UNIDO, ADB progress report on the MDGs, released on 8 October, says that Asia Pacific countries are well on track to reduce extreme poverty. However, increasing disparities among and within countries may hamper social cohesion. Many countries also need support to address new environment, climate change and energy challenges. See full report .
Development Effectiveness Country Briefs
Country briefs of selected countries and subregions eligible to the Asian Development Fund (ADF) provide an overview of ADB's contributions to development outcomes and aid effectiveness. See country briefs for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Viet Nam, Greater Mekong Subregion, and Pacific Subregion.
Bio-fortified Rice for Asian Poor
Millions of Asian poor survive daily on simple meals consisting mostly of rice, resulting in micronutrient malnutrition. Thus, even small improvements in the nutritional value of rice have a substantial impact on health in the region. Since the 1990s, ADB is supporting institutes such as Harvest Plus, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) to develop and promote bio-fortified rice for Bangladesh, the People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam.
Asia Pacific Carbon Fund (APCF) approves its first transaction
The first APCF transaction, approved on 27 September, will help finance the 50 MW Erlongshan hydropower project in China. The Fund will buy carbon credits generated by the project until end 2009 in return for an advance payment of $4 million. ADB is the trustee of the $152 million APCF multidonor fund supported by Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Japan, United Kingdom and ADB support Adaptation to Climate Change in Asia Pacific
Japan, the United Kingdom and ADB are providing a $3.6 million assistance to strengthen the Asia Pacific region's ability to respond to climate change adverse effects.
Viet Nam: Spain and ADB Help Prepare Development Plan for Thanh Hoa Province
Spain and ADB are assisting the government of Viet Nam in preparing a master plan for the development of Thanh Hoa Province, the most populous region in the country.
 Bangladesh and Development Partners Sign Partnership Agreement to Improve Urban Water and Sanitation Services
The government of Bangladesh signed a partnership agreement with DANIDA, Japan, South Korea, World Bank and ADBto improve water and wastewater management, and drainage services in Dhaka and Chittagong through sector reforms, improved financial management and expanded service delivery.
Ireland Contributes $1million to Governance Cooperation Fund
Ireland is contributing $1.07 million to the ADB-managed Governance Cooperation Fund to foster good governance policies in Asia. The Governance Cooperation Fund is a multi-donor facility funded by Canada, Norway and Denmark.
Viet Nam: France and ADB Support Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Central Region
Agence Francaise de Developpement and ADB assist Viet Nam in rehabilitating and upgrading vital infrastructure in Central Viet Nam, one of the poorest regions of the country. The project will improve livelihood opportunities and the standard of living of the rural population.
 Consultation Workshops on the Review of ADB's Safeguards Policy
The consultation workshops held in Bishkek on 14-15 November, in Manila on 26-27 November and on 28-29 November 2007 sought stakeholders' views on the Consultation Draft of the Safeguard Policy Statement. Other consultations are to follow in early 2008. See the full draft .
Conference on Inclusive Growth and Poverty Reduction in Asia-Pacific, Manila
The regional conference held on 8-9 Oct was timely as ADB is reviewing its Long Term Strategic Framework. Participants discussed the report of an Eminent Persons Group presented at the last ADB Annual Meeting in Kyoto, as well as recent ADB work on inclusive growth and rising inequalities in Asia.
Emerging Asian Currency Bond Markets, Tokyo Conference, 2 Nov
Participants in the ADB conference on "Investing in Asia Bonds - Opportunities for Asian Investors" said governments across the region have taken significant steps to develop institutions and market infrastructure to stimulate local currency bond markets. They said Asian bond markets are attractive and active involvement of the private sector will further boost capital markets in the region.
Sixth Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) -
The New Silk Road will Reconnect Central Asian Countries
Ministers from the eight countries participating in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement in Tajikistan on 2-3 November. They also agreed to a $18 billion investment strategy to improve Central Asia's network of roads, airports, railways and seaports. This will make the region a vital transit route for trade between Europe and Asia, a modern-day equivalent of the ancient Silk Road.
 10 Years after the crisis: Emerging Asian Regionalism Research Project
ADB has launched a flagship research project on Emerging Asian Regionalism. Several workshops were held in Asia, USA and Europe and the final report will be published on the occasion of ADB Annual Meeting to be held in Madrid, Spain in May 2008.
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Resilient Emerging East Asian Bond Markets, but Risks Loom
Strong economic growth and improved financial systems along with limited exposure of subprime mortgages have helped curb spillover effects of global credit woes on emerging East Asian economies, but risks loom, says a new report issued by ADB. See full report. |
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Asian Development Outlook Update: Asia to Grow by 8.3% in 2007
According to ADB Asian Development Outlook Update, developing Asian economies will grow by about 8.3% in 2007, driven by robust growth in China and India. ADB revised its earlier estimate of 7.6% and highlighted that Asian countries are still facing key poverty reduction and development challenges. |
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Capacity Development in South Asia
The report is based on capacity development projects in the rural infrastructure and power sectors in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It also focuses on improvements of capital markets in Bangladesh and livestock activities in Nepal. |
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Moving Towards Knowledge-Based Economies: Asian Experiences
The new publication discusses how Asian countries plan to be more knowledge-based. ADB has established in association with some of Asia's leading universities and research institutes regional "knowledge hubs" on environment, energy and climate change. The hubs are based in Beijing Tsinghua University; New Dehli Energy and Resources Institute*;
Bangkok Asian Institute of Technology, and Singapore Public Utilities Board. |
Recent ADB Management Speeches
President Haruhiko Kuroda
Vice President (Operations 1) Liqun Jin
Vice President (Operations 2) C. Lawrence Greenwood Jr.
Vice President Finance and Administration Bindu Lohani
Vice President (Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development)
Ursula Schaefer-Preuss
Managing Director General Rajat Nag
For other speeches, visit the Speeches section on ADB's website
Portals on the ADB website
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Regular ADB Publications
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Contact
Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Representative Office
Rahmhofstrasse 2 - 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Telephone: (+49-69) 2193 6400, E-mail: adbero@adb.org
Philippe B. Benedic, Resident Director General, pbenedic@adb.org
Sophia S. Y. Ho, Deputy Resident Director, ssyho@adb.org
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