Consultations with NGOs at the 34th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors- ADB.org

NGO Consultation Forum: The NGO Center Friday, 11 May, 7:00-9:00

The Asian Development Bank's NGO Center organized a series of consultations with accredited nongovernment organizations during the 34th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors, held in Honolulu, USA, May 8-11, 2001.

ADB staff took note of the discussions at the consultation forums, and subsequently prepared a summary record for each session. These summary records have been shared with the NGO representatives who took part in the Annual Meeting.

Below are some of the questions raised during the ADB consultation with NGO representatives on the launch of the ADB NGO Center, and corresponding answers provided by the head of the Center, Bob Dobias. For more information about this consultation forum, contact ngocoordinator@adb.org.

ADB Funding of NGOs

NGO Question. Is there any room in ADB's funding arrangements for an NGO project?

ADB Answer: The best way for NGOs to get involved in a project is to have the government agency tell ADB that it wants to have NGO projects in the assistance pipeline

NGO Participation

NGO Question: How open are the processes and what is the selection procedure for NGO participation? There has been disappointment in how the Resident Missions choose NGOs with which to consult, i.e., in Sri Lanka there is no open process for selecting NGOs during consultation. ADB's attitude has to change. Perhaps there could be an information center based in one of the NGOs in the working group.

ADB Answer: This is possible, perhaps through the Office of External Relations. The RETA on support of women NGOs had selection criteria. During 2001 we will set up a central database on which NGOs that ADB has had interaction with, and information on these NGOs. This database will be available to all ADB staff. This should be of value to Resident Missions and other ADB staff. Currently ADB has about 900 NGOs in its database, but the information is sketchy.

Building the NGO Network

NGO Question: What is the status of the NGO Network…the anchors?

ADB Answer: The Network was established just two months ago. The anchors are based in all ADB departments/offices, Resident Missions, and Representative Offices. The NGO Center has requested funds to do consultations this year with NGOs on how to improve partnership at an institutional level.

Financial Support to Advocacy NGOs

NGO Question: Will ADB fund advocacy NGOs?

ADB Answer: This is unlikely, especially if it has potential for generating conflicts with government