European Representative Office

ADB operations in 2005 increased by 30% from the previous year to $7.4 billion, according to the ADB Annual Report released on the occasion of the 39th Annual Meeting in Hyderabad, India.

ADB expects to double its investments in the water sector over the next 5 years, as announced at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico on 20 March. The move recognizes the clear link between clean water supply, water resources management and poverty reduction. ADB's increased focus on the water sector will help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Asia and the Pacific.

The African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank are making good progress in implementing a results-oriented management approach, according to a recently released Joint Performance Report. The report focuses on the MDBs’ implementation of managing for development results, which aims at improving the development impact of their operations. It is the first such report produced jointly by the MDBs.

To promote public private partnerships in the infrastructure sector in the Mekong region, two development forums were held in Singapore, 3 March and Stockholm, 3-4 April. The events were co-organized by ADB and, respectively, the International Enterprise Singapore, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Regional infrastructure needs are estimated to $10-$15 billion in the Mekong region, it was discussed at the forums.

On 16 March, ADB and major regional development partners launched a $38 million grant project to counter the immediate threat posed by avian influenza to the Asia-Pacific region.

Projects cofinanced with the Poverty Reduction Cooperation Fund (PRF) from the UK

• Innovative Project to Reach the Most Disadvantaged Groups in Nepal (US$685,000)
• Microcredit Institutions in the PRC
• Innovative ICT in Education ($800,000)
• Microinsurance to Poor Households in Sri Lanka ($600,000)
• First Selection of NGOs for PRC Poverty Reduction Programs ($1 million)

Effective 1 May, ADB regional departments at headquarters in Manila were realigned to form the Central and West Asia Department (CWRD), the East Asia Department (EARD), the South Asia Department (SARD), the Southeast Asia Department, and the Pacific Department (PARD), the latter remaining unchanged.

CWRD is led by Director General (DG) Juan Miranda, EARD by DG Satish Rao, SARD by DG Kunio Senga, SERD by DG Rajat Nag, and PARD by DG Philip Erquiaga. CWRD and SARD report to Vice-President Operations Group 1, Liqun Jin together with the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) led by DG Robert Bestani, the remaining departments will report to Vice-President Operations Group 2, C. Lawrence Greenwood Jr.

See Organization Chart [ PDF ]

Thelma Diaz was appointed Resident Director General of ADB North American Representative Office. Based in Washington, DC, NARO is responsible for enhancing public awareness on Asia's recent developments and ADB operations, facilitating resource mobilization, promoting cofinancing and coordinating with multilateral and bilateral development institutions headquartered in the USA and Canada.

Ayumi Konishi, ADB's new Country Director for Viet Nam, assumed office on 3 April. Based in Hanoi, VRM is responsible for coordinating ADB’s assistance in Viet Nam and strengthening ADB partnership with government, key stakeholders and other development partners.

Labor Markets in Asia: Issues and Perspectives addresses the challenge of creating jobs across the region, the links between globalization, technological change, competition and labor markets. It also provides a framework for policy action in a region where demographic transition will raise major development challenges.

The book looks at the impact in East Asia of the OECD countries' policies on trade, investment, agriculture, development finance, macroeconomic policies and regional cooperation. Further, the publication examines the interaction and coherence of OECD countries' policies. Co-editors include Kiichiro Fukasaku, Michael Plummer, Alexandra Trzeciak-Duval and Masahiro Kawai, Head of ADB's Office of Regional Economic Integration. The book launch took place on 11 April at the Japanese German Center Berlin (JDZB) with the participation of ERO Resident Director General, Philippe Bénédic.