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Information Policy and Strategy

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Introduction

Since the Bank’s establishment more than 30 years ago, and in step with the changing needs of its developing member countries (DMCs), the scope, diversity, and complexity of its operations have grown significantly. Today, the Bank has much more to tell its shareholders and the public in support of its strategic agenda,objectives, programs, and operations.

This expansion in the Bank’s activities has coincided with a rapid and all-pervasive information/communications revolution. With advances in technology and the spread and diversification of the channels of communication, the opportunity now exists, as never before, for the Bank to communicate its messages more widely.

In the context of this greatly altered and constantly changing environment,there is a need for a comprehensive review of the Bank’s information requirements and objectives to formulate a well-defined Bankwide information policy and strategy. An institution like the Bank requires such a policy and strategy to guide its activities in support of its strategic and operational agenda.

So far, the Bank’s information requirements and objectives have remained uncodified. The Articles of Agreement Establishing the Asian Development Bank (the Charter), which explicitly describe the Bank’s purpose, operations, organization, etc., make no reference to information policies or procedures as such.¹ Article 39 of the Charter states in part: “The Bank shall transmit to its members an annual reportcontaining an audited statement of its accounts and shall publish such report. It shall also transmit quarterly to its members a summary statement of its financial position and a profit and loss statement showing the results of its operations. The Bank may also publish such other reports as it deems desirable in the carrying out of its purpose and functions. Such reports shall be transmitted to the members of the Bank.” This statement does not adequately describe an information policy for the Bank.

A clear articulation of an information policy is required in the context of the Bank’s expanded current and future activities.

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