Cooperation with NGOs and Civil Society

Meetings Between ADB and NGO Forum on ADB
17-18 March 2004

The NGO Forum on ADB (Forum) is an Asian-led network of non-government and community-based organizations that support each other in order to amplify their positions on ADB policies, programs, and projects affecting resources and local communities. On the occasion of the Forum's 2004 annual meeting, held in Metro Manila in mid-March, ADB's NGO Center arranged discussions between 30 Forum members and ADB staff on issues of concern to Forum members. Many of the meetings took place on 17 March 2004, which was declared "Lobby Day" by the Forum. ADB's Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Geert van der Linden, welcomed the NGO visitors to the Bank headquarters, and introduced the day of discussions with a consultation on the Bank's proposed Public Communications Policy.

The "Lobby Day" meetings were part of ADB's deepening dialogue with a broad range of NGOs across the Asia-Pacific region. ADB cooperates with NGOs and other civil society organizations to strengthen the effectiveness, sustainability, and quality of development services provided by the Bank to its developing member countries. Indeed, over half of the projects assisted by ADB involve NGOs in some way, such as consultation, implementation, and monitoring.

Following are links to the notes from the meetings held on 17-18 March between Forum members and ADB staff. The meetings covered a range of issues including specific projects and programs, private sector operations, and policies on accountability, disclosure, environment, social safeguards, and water.

• Meeting on ADB's Environmental and Social Safeguards
• Meeting on Environment and Social Program Loan 1867 LAO
• Meeting on External Consultations to Review the Draft Public Communications Policy
• Meeting on GMS Program
• Meeting on OCRP and ADB Accountability Mechanism
• Meeting with Private Sector Department
• Meeting on the Special Project Facilitator's (OSPF) Office
• Meeting on Southern Transport Development Project, Sri Lanka
• Meeting on Water Policy