Reform Agenda

Harmonization and Alignment

Partnerships with nongovernment organizations (NGOs), bilateral and multilateral organizations, and private sector organizations are vital for ADB. Effective partnerships enable better synergies and coordination, reduce duplication, and optimize the use of resources available for development. Partnership has become an underlying principle for all aspects of ADB operations and initiatives.

ADB has made steady progress in developing partnerships with NGOs in loan and technical assistance operations. In 2006, NGOs participated in 55 projects, or 69% of projects approved (87% of approved Asian Development Fund [ADF] projects), compared with 65% in 2004 (78% for ADF projects). A special evaluation study by the Operations Evaluation Department in 2006 found that greater capacity on the part of ADB to engage more effectively with NGOs has strengthened such partnerships.

In line with the commitments under the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness*, ADB is participating in more program-based approaches, including sector-wide approaches. Using a single comprehensive program and budget framework, program-based approaches provide a common government-owned platform for all development institutions to provide harmonized assistance. In 2007, ADB participated in 19 projects ($3.6 billion) using program-based approaches, compared with 13 projects ($2.1 billion) in 2004.

ADB is undertaking more country partnership strategy and country portfolio review missions with other development partners. Of the 36 country partnership strategy and country portfolio review missions carried out in 2006, 33% were conducted jointly with the World Bank or others, compared with 26% in 2004. Despite this, ADB’s participation in joint missions in general, including project missions, remained low at 10% in 2006. However, this may be an underestimation as ADB’s tracking system does not include resident mission originated joint missions.

The revised strategic framework for private sector development [ PDF ] in 2006 also seeks more public–private partnerships in developing cost-effective public goods and services, including infrastructure. In addition, ADB’s overall cofinancing operations are expanding. The total direct value-added cofinancing has increased from about $300 million in 2004 to $1.1 billion in 2007.

In April 2008, ADB adopted Strategy 2020, its new long-term strategic framework for 2008-2020. Under Strategy 2020, partnerships will become a central form of ADB engagement in planning, financing, and implementing operations. ADB is committed to meeting all major commitments under the Paris Declaration by the agreement’s target of 2012.

View more initiatives under Refined Organizational Process and Structure.

See also:

Websites

• Aid Effectiveness
• Strategy 2020

Reports

• Review of ADB Partnering and Harmonization Strategies and Activities in Selected Countries [ PDF: 255kb | 18 pages ]
• Evaluation of the Implementation of the Paris Declaration at the Asian Development Bank: A Development Partner’s Study for an OECD-DAC Joint Evaluation
• Special Evaluation Study on ADB's Approaches to Partnering and Harmonization: In the Context of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness
• Implementation of the Paris Declaration in ADF Countries (ADF X Donors’ Meeting, Sydney, 13-14 September 2007) [ PDF: 158kb | 23 pages ]
• Special Evaluation Study on Involvement of Civil Society Organizations in Asian Development Bank Operations