Home 
Publications Catalog Online Publications Document
Annual Report 2004 : 2004 in Review: Board of Directors' Report
New and Revised Policies and ProceduresTo meet the needs of ADB’s development partners, the Board of Directors approved several policy, financial, and administrative papers in 2004 and reviewed a number of others. In June, ADB approved a comprehensive disaster and emergency assistance policy that will provide rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance as well as assist DMCs with prevention of, preparation for, and mitigation of the impact of future disasters. It was developed after extensive consultations with specialized agencies, civil society, nongovernment organizations, and DMC governments. The integrated policy framework (i) focuses on protective strategies; (ii) adopts a systematic approach to disaster management including natural and man-made disasters and the aftermath of conflicts; (iii) mainstreams disaster risk management as an integral part of development; (iv) strengthens partnerships among development and specialized organizations to improve the effectiveness of emergency aid as no single agency can provide all the resources needed to cope with disasters; (v) uses resources more efficiently and effectively to better support pre- and postdisaster activities; (vi) improves organizational arrangements within ADB for planning, implementing, and communicating effectively on disaster and emergency assistance; and (vii) highlights that rehabilitation involves more than replacing and upgrading infrastructure. The policy further states that efforts will be made to decrease the time required to approve rehabilitation projects so assistance will be timely and effective. In line with the policy, immediately following the tsunami disaster on 26 December, ADB created an interdepartmental task force to coordinate rapid assistance. Also in June, ADB approved Toward E-Development in Asia and the Pacific: A Strategic Approach for Information and Communication Technology (ISTS II) to provide information systems that support ADB's core business activities, deliver the knowledge management framework, institutionalize the part-nership between ADB operations and information technology (IT), and develop IT services that are secure and reliable. ISTS II was formulated with guidance from the IT Steering Committee chaired by the ADB Vice-President for finance and administration. The committee monitored the development of the strategy and determined priorities and sought input from various stakeholders, including the Board of Directors. To realize the recommendations made in the PRS review and to effectively implement the reform agenda and the knowledge management framework, in September ADB approved the HR strategy. The goals are (i) to improve working and hiring conditions and opportunities for career development for staff at headquarters and in resident missions; (ii) to establish an effective system to manage and reward performance; (iii) to strengthen leadership and accountability; and (iv) to improve channels of communication. The Board of Directors endorsed in November Responding to the Priorities of the Poor 2005–2009: A Pacific Strategy for the Asian Development Bank. The strategy is unique at ADB in that it covers all operations of the Pacific department. The strategy adopted the two principal priorities of the poor as identified in participatory assessments of hardship and poverty: opportunities for cash incomes and improved access to basic social services. Strategic objectives and key result areas are consistent with ADB's PRS and its commitment to the MDGs. The focus is on improving the environment for the private sector, reducing costs and inefficiencies in the economy, providing basic social services, and achieving good governance. ADB also reviewed its 1994 policy on confidentiality and disclosure of information and its 1994 information policy and strategy and prepared a new policy on public communications in 2004. Under the new policy, which will be reviewed by the Board of Directors in 2005, ADB will make more information about its operations publicly available. In addition to updating practices of disclosing and sharing information so that they will be better suited to global communications, the policy reinforces ADB's standing as an accountable, transparent public institution that actively seeks to share its considerable knowledge. ADB's stakeholders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors as well as its Board of Directors, Management, and staff actively participated in writing the policy through extensive consultations throughout the year. Staff discussed the policy with the public in Bangalore; Beijing; Bishkek; Dhaka; Hanoi; Jakarta; London; New Delhi; Ottawa; Suva; Sydney; Tokyo; and Washington, DC in addition to meeting with advocacy nongovernment organizations on several occasions at ADB headquarters. The Board of Directors reviewed an information paper on the implementation of the 2001 water policy which showed encouraging progress in improving water services, conservation, participation, and governance. Modest progress was made in introducing integrated water resource management and in improving regional cooperation, and limited progress was made in promoting a national focus on water sector reforms. Exemplary or good practice in implementing the water policy was shown in 54% of water loans but in only 20% of technical assistance projects. A comprehensive review of policy implementation will be conducted in 2005. Internal InitiativesADB's focus on results and greater emphasis on impact and outcomes were evident in several of its internal initiatives. A change in the reporting structure for the Operations Evaluation Department (OED) to allow for greater independence of the evaluation function took effect in 2004 when OED began reporting directly to the Board of Directors through the Development Effectiveness Committee (www.adb.org/OED/). The accountability mechanism adopted at the end of 2003 became operational in 2004. The aim is to improve development effectiveness, project quality, and transparency in operations. Its two functions—consultation and compliance review—provide for problem solving and for reporting alleged violations of ADB policies and procedures, respectively. The knowledge management framework adopted in June lays out five specific outputs for the next 4 years.
A new sector and thematic classification system took effect on 1 July. Classifying loans, projects, and technical assistance by sector and theme is important for tracking allocations of resources and the purpose and impact of operations. The classification ADB used before July 2004 was established in 1984 and was out of date. In June an interdepartmental working group updated the list to reflect the PRS and the LTSF. More than 2,000 loans and 5,300 technical assistance activities approved since 1966 were then reclassified. The revised definitions of themes and sectors are broadly consistent with those used by the United Nations and the World Bank and enable comparison of resource allocation patterns. The Business Continuity Management Steering Committee in conjunction with the Office of Administrative Services set up an in-country facility to minimize disruption to business operations and to reduce its impact. Continuity plans covering all operations will be developed and tested in 2005. The plans will guide operations from the initial declaration of a disaster or crisis through recovery and restoration of processes and systems. Establishing an offshore recovery facility will be evaluated.
|
© 2009 Asian Development Bank Privacy | Terms of Use |
 Top of page |
Back