Delegates to the Forum included: (i) researchers from universities and research institutions, (ii) representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector, (iii) development practitioners from multi-lateral and bilateral donor organizations, (iv) organizations affiliated with the United Nations (UN), and (v) members of the media.

Thirty-six sessions involved more than 160 speakers and addressed a wide range of poverty reduction policies andprojects. Sessions addressed issues at the global, regional, national, and local levels, and covered a full range of approaches to poverty analysis. More than 75 papers were prepared for the Forum. The Forum included a special session on Poverty in the Transition Economies of Central Asia. A special issue of Asian Development Review will feature selected papers on methodological issues for assessing changes in macroeconomic policies on the incidence of poverty in Asian and Pacific economies, as well as papers devoted to the theme of poverty monitoring and measurement.

ADB's Poverty Reduction Strategy adapted in 1999 recognizes the multiple dimensions of poverty -- the Forum reiterated the need for multiple approaches in reducing poverty. ADB's three pillars of poverty reduction are: (i) pro-poor sustainable economic growth, (ii) social development, and (iii) promotion of good governance. Forum delegates agreed that the full range of ADB's activities were necessary for poverty reduction: (i) program and project loans, (ii) assistance for Developing Member Country (DMC) reform of governing institutions and policies, and (iii) projects to improve the delivery of basic services to the poor.

Key messages of the Forum

Four key messages that emerged from the Forum meeting were: (i) need for stakeholders to share a common vision in poverty reduction, (ii) importance of promoting good governance, (iii) value of partnerships with the private sector, and (iv) achievements and shortcomings in the region's progress toward the 2015 International Development Goals.

• Targeted economic growth is essential for poverty reduction.
• Stakeholder involvement and greater government-non-government cooperation is important.
• Improved social protection would cushion the effects of economic fluctuations.
• Innovative approaches to social protection are necessary.
• Basic social services are essential for reducing poverty in the region.

The Forum also was an opportunity to remind stakeholders of ADB's unique role in reducing poverty:

• ADB is committed to the overarching objective of poverty reduction.
• ADB is a regional leader in poverty reduction efforts in the Asia and Pacific region.
• ADB has collaborated and continues to collaborate actively with numerous international, multilateral, and bilateral development and aid organizations.