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ADB Attaches Great Importance to Participatory Approach in Development

Speech by Dr. Chong Chi Nai
Officer In Charge,
Nepal Resident Mission,
Asian Development Bank

3 October 2002
Nepal

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, Participants:

It gives me a great pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and particularly the Nepal Resident Mission of ADB to this Subregional Workshop on the ADB-NGO-Government Cooperation Framework. I am very pleased to see here today such a range of representatives of various governments, NGOs, and private sector. This two-day subregional workshop held in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. ADB attaches great importance to participatory approach in development and highly values the crucial role NGOs play in helping improve the effectiveness of our assistance to its developing member countries in the region. We recognize the fact that there has been, in recent years, increasing involvement of non-government organizations and civil society in setting the direction of the development process.

Let me share briefly ADB's experience in working with NGOs in Nepal. Although as a rule ADB works through governments, I am pleased to say that we have found an increasing willingness on part of the Government of Nepal to work with and incorporate NGOs in development projects and programs that ADB supports. Several ADB-supported projects such as the Third Livestock Development Project (TLDP), Rural Microfinance Development Project, Microcredit for Women Project, and Small Towns Water Supply Project, have partnered with NGOs in implementing their programs. These NGOs have been mostly engaged for community mobilization, conducting training, raising awareness, and as financial intermediaries. NGO's involvement in projects such as TLDP and microcredit has helped substantially overcome the difficulty of delivering credit in rural areas, thereby, helping reach the poor and the disadvantaged groups. Mobilizing NGOs have also resulted in high participation of women in projects.

ADB-supported projects are also increasingly seeking NGO participation in the initial phases of the project design. The Melamchi Drinking Water Supply Project, which seeks to alleviate the chronic water shortage problem of Kathmandu Valley, has been consulting the civil society - NGOs, media, water users group, and others - at various stages of project development. The proposed Community Based Water Supply and Sanitation Project is being processed in consultations with NGOs.

I would like to mention that NRM recruited a civil society liaison officer last year to further strengthen ADB's cooperation with NGOs and civil society organizations through regular exchange of information and dialogue. ADB is committed to seeking ways in improving communication and understanding with its key stakeholders. In particular, we recognize the value of expanding cooperation with NGOs with a view to strengthening the quality of assistance that ADB provides.

The workshop serves as the forum to discuss what are the key roles that each party (primarily ADB, Government, NGOs/CBOs, and private sector) play in development and how cooperation among these bodies can be further strengthened. I truly appreciate your sparing some of your valuable time to come here to give us your views and opinions on this important issue.

Finally I wish you all a very fruitful workshop.

Thank you.