Catalog

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p. 14 of 53 BACK | NEXT Executive Summary Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations by ADF Donors ADF VIII: Requests for Midterm Policy Reviews and Reports I. Introduction II. The International Development Goals III. Poverty in Developing Asia IV. ADB and ADF: Vision and Role V. ADB’S Framework for Poverty Reduction A. Pro-Poor Sustainable Economic Growth B. Social Development C. Good Governance VI. Development through Partnership VII. ADF Resources: Portfolio Management and Performance VIII. The Strategy for Implementing ADF VIII IX. Planned Lending in ADF VIII X. Financing Framework for ADF VIII XI. Issues for Policy Review XII. Midterm Review of ADF VIII

ADF VIII Donor's Report: Fighting Poverty in Asia

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V. ADB’s Framework for Poverty Reduction

21. Donors agreed that the general ADB-wide framework for poverty reduction is contained in ADB’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which is supported by ADB’s Private Sector Development Strategy. This framework will govern all ADB operations including those financed in ADF VIII. The main features of the framework as reaffirmed by the Donors are summarized in this section.

22. Donors reaffirmed that the poor are not a single, homogenous group in a DMC. Women and children are the largest group of poor people in the Region. The nature, causes, and victims of poverty are diverse. The poor may have been unable to acquire essential assets because they live in a remote or resource-poor area; or because they are vulnerable on account of age, health, education, living environment, or occupation. They may be denied access to assets because they belong to an ethnic minority or a community considered socially inferior, or simply because they are female or disabled. At a broader level, poverty may stem from situations where gross inequality of assets persists because of vested interests and entrenched power structures. Finally, essential assets may not be available to the poor because of the lack of political will, inadequate governance, and inappropriate public policies and programs.

23. Donors noted that poor policies, poor governance, and weak institutions hurt performance and present major obstacles to poverty reduction efforts, thereby undermining ADB’s effectiveness. Donors agreed that the primary responsibility for finding solutions to mass poverty lies with countries themselves. However, success will depend on the united efforts of government and civil society, and on strong support from the international community. For all stakeholders, the strategies chosen to reduce poverty must be comprehensive enough to address its many causes. Those strategies should empower the poor to take on a greater role in the development process, in particular strengthening their participation and influence in decision-making processes at all levels of government and public administration. For this reason, ADB sees the twin pillars of pro-poor, sustainable economic growth and social development as elements in any framework for reducing poverty. To achieve either element requires sound macroeconomic management and good governance, the third pillar. Together, the three pillars result in socially inclusive development.

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