Reform Agenda

What is Reform Agenda?

ADB's Reform Agenda click to enlarge

The reform agenda is ADB's comprehensive and ambitious move to enhance the development effectiveness of its operations through reformed policies, strategies, processes, and programs in response to the changing development needs in developing member countries (DMCs).

It was initiated during the Special Assembly of staff on 14 June 2004 and later adopted on the basis of the President's Reform Agenda Note [ PDF ] issued on 25 August 2004.

The long-term goal of the reform agenda is to achieve demonstrable improvements in ADB operations that impact on the Millennium Development Goals of DMCs. In the medium term, the agenda aims to make ADB more effective in delivering country development outcomes and reducing poverty in DMCs.

The reform agenda laid out 19 broad-ranging initiatives to deliver the following fundamental changes within ADB:

• Improved operational policies, strategies, and approaches
• Mainstreamed managing for development results
• Refined organizational process and structure
• Reinforced knowledge management
• Improved human resource management and staff incentives

As an institution serving the most dynamic region in the world, ADB needs to continue changing quickly to enable it to respond better to the evolving needs of an expanding clientele. To deliver the Asian Development Fund (ADF) X program effectively, internal resources must be optimized and staff skills must be aligned with Strategy 2020, [ PDF ] ADB's new long-term strategic framework for 2008-2020, including the ADF priorities embedded in Strategy 2020. While many changes have been implemented, much remains to be done. ADB Management is committed to consolidating the progress it has made by taking further steps to complete the reforms.