Catalog

	Table of Contents
p. 2 of 29 BACK | NEXT Executive Summary I. Introduction II. Development Challenges III. Key Variables Influencing Development IV. External Assistance V. Review of ADB Assistance and Strategy VI. The New Pacific Strategy

A Pacific Strategy for the New Millennium

---

Introduction

1. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) operates in 12 Pacific developing member countries (PDMCs).² Given the relative homogeneity of the socioeconomic characteristics of these countries, ADB has traditionally adopted a common strategic approach in its Pacific operations. The 1996-1999 Strategy for the Pacific was finalized in September 1995. Since then, there have been significant changes in the global economic environment, development thinking, PDMC policy and governance environments, and ADB’s objectives and policies (most notably the 1999 adoption of poverty reduction as the overarching development objective). Therefore, ADB's review of its strategic focus in the region and development of a new strategy to guide its Pacific operations in the new century is appropriate.³

2. This paper, in an earlier condensed form, was shared with member governments, nongovernment organization (NGO) representatives, and development partners. At ADB's Annual Meeting in Chiang Mai in May 2000, delegates from the PDMCs discussed the draft strategy paper. Comments received were incorporated. This paper reflects ADB’s strategy for its Pacific operations⁴ from 2000 to 2004.

Back Executive Summary	Next II. Development Challenges