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KYOTO, JAPAN - The first of an expected 3,500 participants arrived at the Kyoto International Conference Center today as registration desks opened for ADB’s 40th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.

ADB’s Annual Meeting brings together senior officials from across Asia and the Pacific to discuss ways to effectively address poverty and ensure sustainable economic growth in the region.

Finance Ministers, senior government officials, leaders, academics, media, and representatives of international organizations and civil society are among those gathering for the event.

ADB’s highest policy-making body is its Board of Governors, which meets annually and comprises one representative from each member country. The annual meetings are statutory occasions for the Governors of ADB members to provide guidance on ADB administrative, financial and operational directions.

Among the major issues expected to be under discussion this year are the region’s economic strength 10 years after the financial crisis, the challenges of regional cooperation and integration, and how to best address the global threat of climate change.

The Governors’ Seminar on Saturday discusses the conclusions of the recent report of the Eminent Persons Group convened to advise on future trends and challenges facing the region and ADB's long-term role in addressing them.

The Annual Meeting Seminar Series over the four days is addressing such topics as clean energy, Asia 10 years after the crisis, aging Asia, and urbanization in the region.

There is also a program for civil society and nongovernment organization representatives, including an open forum on ADB’s Energy Strategy, meeting with ADB senior management, and panel discussion on ADB’s safeguards.

The Annual Meeting will hold its formal opening session on the morning of May 6 and will close late afternoon of May 7 with a press conference.

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