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Resident Mission Policy

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Introduction

Objective

This paper reviews the current role and responsibilities of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) resident missions (RMs) and proposes a policy framework to enable RMs to contribute more effectively to ADB's support for its developing member countries (DMCs).

The need for a comprehensive RM policy arises from several factors.

1. Client orientation and proximity are essential to increasing development impact. The RMs’ roles must be geared to such a client orientation.

2. ADB is undertaking major changes in its strategic orientation: these present new opportunities and challenges for all its units, including the RMs.

3. The last policy paper on RM-related issues¹ was approved in 1986. Since then, the circumstances in which ADB operates have changed and ADB has gained considerable experience in the working of RMs. It is therefore appropriate to update the RM policy framework.

Approach

This paper presents background information on the evolution of RMs and their current status and responsibilities, identifies the challenges of change for RMs, and proposes a policy framework to respond to these challenges. The organizational and resource requirements of the policy framework are assessed. Reviews of experience in implementing the new policy after one year, and of pilot testing of key functions after two years are proposed. Major policy conclusions are presented for Board approval.

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