ADF X Donors' Meeting
Closing Statement by
Haruhiko Kuroda
President
Asian Development Bank
14 March 2008
ADB Headquarters, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Mr. Chair,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to first thank you all for the very detailed and constructive discussions which we have had over the last two days. They have drawn out the key issues requiring decisions which will enable all of us to converge to a successful conclusion of ADF X negotiations in Madrid.
As I said yesterday, I agree with you that a sound results framework is critical for managing our operations effectively. It is also equally needed for us to make our case to you to support ADF. And I would like to reiterate my personal commitment to continue mainstreaming managing for development results in the institution. We will provide you before Madrid a revised results framework with specific indicators, baseline figures, and targets. This will be focused specifically on our ADF operations.
I appreciate that many of you recognized the progress we have made so far in our institutional reform process. At the same time, I am fully aware of the importance of maintaining the momentum of such reforms. Let me reiterate my own and my Management team's commitment to continue doing so.
The reform efforts will include further actions on human resources and OED which are fundamental to ADB's future performance. ADB will proceed systematically on these matters based on the findings of the two reviews which I have already announced. As I mentioned yesterday, we will share with the Board the draft terms of reference of the human resource and OED reviews before our Annual Meeting in Madrid.
During these and previous discussions, you have raised the issue of our institutional capacity to deliver an expanded ADF X program effectively. This is being examined in the broader context of delivering the LTSF. I look forward to discussing these and other issues with the Board.
I recognize that as ADF deputies, you will also need to have a time-bound action plan for the various initiatives to deliver ADF X effectively. I will provide you such an action plan before Madrid, but this will be refined and integrated into the LTSF implementation plans as appropriate.
We have completed the LTSF preparation process and it has now been presented to the Board for approval in early April. Clearly, ADF is a key tool for delivering the ADB's objective of eliminating poverty in Asia and the Pacific. As you will have noted, the priorities of ADF X are fully aligned with those articulated in the LTSF.
I am pleased that there is a consensus for concluding ADF X negotiations by Madrid. I am also encouraged and indeed the DMCs will be encouraged to hear that there is convergence toward a replenishment within the range we have presented. I would strongly urge you to be generous considering that this is the last replenishment that can contribute meaningfully toward the achievement of the MDGs that have to be met in 2015.
I thank you most sincerely for your strong and continued support. I wish you all a safe flight home. Thank you.
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