Cooperation with NGOs and Civil Society

ADB and Catholic Relief Services Promote Community Awareness on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Viet Nam

The ADB and Catholic Relief Services (CRS)* are working together to raise awareness of over 150 local leaders about avian influenza as the first step in strengthening their capacity for community preparedness.

The partnership is part of a larger effort to promote poverty reduction in four provinces of Central Vietnam, where ADB has engaged CRS to help villages in Quang Binh Province develop preparedness plans. "We see this as the first step in assisting communities to develop preparedness plans for avian influenza," said Nguyen Van Gia, the CRS deputy team leader in Quang Binh. In the medium term, ADB could commit at least $470 million to support Asia's responses and readiness to fight avian flu.

Greenpeace activists invited to discuss energy issues

ADB invited Greenpeace International, the global environmental organization, to discuss an ADB study on energy efficiency and to contribute to shaping ADB's Energy Policy. The invitation was extended following a small demonstration by the group outside ADB Headquarters in Manila on 8 November 2005, calling for stronger leadership from ADB on energy issues.

ADB and Greenpeace agreed to hold the discussions at the earliest possible time, following an invitation from Bindu Lohani, Director General of ADB's Regional and Sustainable Development Department, who was joined by Bart Edes, Head of the Bank's NGO and Civil Society Center. Mr. Lohani noted that ADB will be soon be reviewing its Energy Policy, and would welcome input from Greenpeace on the process. Read more.

ADB finances a range of environmental initiatives supporting conservation, energy efficiency, and the use of renewables.

VP van der Linden meets with Public Services International delegation

A 10-member delegation of the Asia Pacific Regional Organization of Public Services International (PSI) met with ADB staff and Management at ADB headquarters in Manila. PSI is a global union federation made up of more than 600 trade unions representing more than 20 million public service worker from 160 countries, including many in the Asia-Pacific region.