European Representative Office

President Kuroda addresses challenges ahead in New Year message
President Kuroda, in his message to ADB personnel, expressed his commitment to continue making the institutional changes necessary to implement Strategy 2020 and remain a valued partner in the ongoing development of Asia and the Pacific. "Unfortunately, it is now clear that 2009 will be another difficult year for our DMCs," he said. "As the region's development partner, we have to help in every way we can.

Vice President Schaefer-Preuss lead ADB delegation at UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, 1-14 December 2008
The VP spoke at a press event on 10 December to launch the Future Carbon Fund and reported on the progress of the Regional Review of Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia with Nicholas Stern. ADB is participating in several partnership events including the Nairobi Work Plan on adaptation, and efforts to enable additional mitigation activities in urban and transport sectors. ADB has now exceeded its public sector funding target for the Fund with participants including Finland and Sweden providing approximately half of the total. Learn more about ADB and Climate Change.

Financial Crisis Presents Opportunity for Asia, Jeffrey Sachs tells ADB Audience
The global economic crisis should be viewed by Asia's policymakers as an opportunity to expand investment in 'desperately' needed public goods, economist Jeffrey Sachs told an ADB audience. Video | Podcast

Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Infrastructure Projects: Asia Pacific Regional Meeting
Good infrastructure and services such as water supply and sanitation, energy, and transport significantly contribute to releasing women from time-consuming and drudgery work. In most rural communities around the world, it is women who primarily collect fuel wood and water. Women's increased participation in infrastructure planning and management often leads to economic empowerment as they acquire and improve their financial and life skills. Read the speech. Visit ADB's Gender and Development website.

Lake's Rehabilitation Offers Hope for PRC's Polluted Waterways, 22 January 2009
The restoration of the polluted West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in the People's Republic of China provides a model for the successful revival of other damaged waterways and wetlands, according to a new publication from ADB. Learn more about ADB's Water for All vision and policy.

The US Financial Crisis, Global Financial Turmoil, and Developing Asia: Is the Era of High Growth at an End?, December 2008
The global economy is threatened with a deep and prolonged recession as a consequence of the financial meltdown that began with the housing price crisis in the United States. This paper provides a summary of events and the transmission of the crisis from the United States to the Euro area, United Kingdom, other industrial economies, emerging markets, and developing Asia. The paper sets the context for the Asian Development Outlook 2009 with an emphasis on rebalancing growth in developing Asia and, by implication, the world economy.

Slowdown in Growth, Difficult Year Ahead for Developing Asia, Says ADB
Economic growth in developing Asia will slow to 5.8% in 2009, down from a likely 6.9% this year and 9% in 2007, as the impact of the global financial crisis spreads to emerging markets, says a new report from ADB. Read the report.

Welcome to 2009! In this issue, read about ADB's economic forecast for the year ahead, ADB's enhanced operations evaluation function, and a new regional network for poverty reduction. Featured is the Srandakan Bridge in Indonesia. Also, find out the latest on ADB events, publications, and opportunities. Read ADB Review (January 2009).

How Much Should Inequality Matter?
One worrisome trend in Asia is growing inequality-the rich are getting richer much faster than the poor. Our stories for this issue look at the many aspects of inequality, including the case for and against interventions toward social inclusion, the role of globalization, and what the poor can do to help themselves, as well as spotlighting other development challenges. Ann Quon, Publisher, ADB. Read Development Asia (December 2008)

Revitalization of Historic Inner-City Areas in Asia: The Potential for Urban Renewal in Ha Noi, Jakarta, and Manila
Many of Asia's large cities served as centers of trade for centuries. As a result, they possess historic urban cores that initially functioned as these cities' centers of commerce.

A Joint Country Gender Assessment: Paradox and Promise in the Philippines
The report - prepared by a team from ADB, Canadian International Development Agency, European Commission, and UN agencies, in partnership with the Philippines' National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women - won the Bronze Anvil Award at the 40th Anvil Awards in 2005.

Urban Development Experience and Visions India and the People's Republic of China
This report summarizes the discussions at an ADB-sponsored workshop on Urban Development Experience of China and India with Private Sector Participation.

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 2007
• 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.