23 September 2013
President Nakao opens 2013 Country Directors Forum
The President on 23 September shared his insights on the medium-term review of Strategy 2020 at the opening of the Country Directors Forum, ongoing until 25 September in ADB headquarters. Country directors from 22 field offices are attending the annual event that provides an opportunity for discussion of ADB's strategic initiatives and operational issues that affect resident missions.
20 September 2013
President Nakao joins 20th APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting
The President shared his views with finance ministers on the Asian economic outlook and trade finance at the event held on 20 September in Bali, Indonesia. The ministers discussed how the region's economic growth can remain resilient as markets respond to evolving macroeconomic policies. They agreed to reinforce financial stability; boost job creation; and promote innovation through structural reforms, trade finance, infrastructure investment, and financial inclusion. Read the President's speeches on Asia's macroeconomic outlook and trade finance.
19 September 2013
President Nakao meets with World Bank Managing Director
The President on 19 September met with World Bank's Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati to exchange views on the institutions' operations and challenges during the APEC Finance Ministers' Retreat in Bali. They noted similarities in challenges faced by ADB and the World Bank, particularly in dealing with the needs of middle-income countries. Ms. Indrawati accepted the invitation to speak at ADB's 47th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in Astana in 2014.
19 September 2013
President Nakao meets with Indonesia and Hong Kong, China finance officials
The President held a bilateral meeting with Indonesia's Finance Minister and ADB Governor Muhamad Chatib Basri on 19 September on the sideline of APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting in Bali. They discussed the recent economic development and policies, continued cooperation between ADB and Indonesia, and ways to deepen engagement in knowledge works. President Nakao also met with Hong Kong, China's Financial Secretary and ADB Governor John Tsang Chun-wah to discuss the latest financial situation.
9 September 2013
President's Advisory Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development holds sixth meeting in Manila
The President's Advisory group met on 9 September to discuss the next focus of ADB's climate change program including enhanced adaptation, integrated disaster risk management and urban resilience. The panel comprises renowned experts in environment and development, chaired by Rajendra Pachauri, Executive Director, The Energy and Resources Institute, and Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Read the speech.
13 August 2013
President Nakao visits ADB-financed urban project in the People's Republic of China
The President on 13 August visited sites of the Hebei Small Cities and Towns Development Demonstration Project. He met with Liu Yongrui, Vice Chair of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference of Hebei Province to discuss ADB's cooperation and support to the province. President Nakao also went to Luoyangou village in Northwest Hebei Province and talked to households.
12 August 2013
President Nakao conducts first visit to the People's Republic of China
The President on 11-12 August met with the PRC's Finance Minister and ADB Governor Lou Jiwei, Finance Vice Minister Zhu Guangyao, NDRC Vice Chairman Zhang Xiaoqiang, People's Bank of China Deputy Governor Yi Gang, and Development Research Center's President Li Wei to strengthen the ADB-PRC partnership. They discussed ADB's support to the 13th Five-Year Plan, regional cooperation and knowledge sharing, and PRC's role in development in the region. Read news. [中文]
18 July 2013
President Nakao addresses Japan National Press Club
The President on 17 July 2013 in Tokyo discussed the recent social and economic developments in Asia and the Pacific and ADB's role, in his first press conference at the JNPC joined by over 70 journalists from leading newspapers. President Nakao, in his remarks, emphasized that although the region as a whole performed relatively well in recent years, the countries vary in their development status. He further said that ADB should respond appropriately considering the development needs of each country, and touched on the importance of "finance ++" to address the region's complex development challenges. View video. [日本語 Japanese]
17 July 2013
President Nakao visits ADB operations in Mongolia
After exchanging views with Mongolia Resident Mission staff on the country's development priorities, the President together with Mayor Bat-Uul opened a new ADB-financed road in Ulaanbaatar's ger (tent) district on 15 July. He also visited a severely polluted section of the Tuul River with Minister of Environment and Green Development S. Oyun, and the Health Sciences University with Vice Minister of Health Amarsanaa. President Nakao concluded his program with a visit to a school developed jointly with Japan and the Nordic Development Fund.
16 July 2013
President Nakao discusses Mongolia-ADB cooperation in Ulaanbaatar
During his first mission to Mongolia, the President discussed the country's development priorities with President Ts. Elbegdorj, Chairman of Parliament Z. Enkhbold, acting head of government Deputy Prime Minister D. Terbishdagva, Minister of Finance and ADB Governor Ch. Ulaan, and Minister of Economic Development N. Batbayar, and other senior officials. Emerging priorities in Mongolia's rapidly growing economy include environmental protection, job creation, effective investment of mineral revenues in economic and social infrastructure, and intensified support for the private sector. Read the news release and speech.
2 July 2013
President Nakao visits European Representative Office
The President visited European Representative Office in Frankfurt, Germany on 2 July 2013. Topics discussed included Europe's importance for ADB as an international institution, knowledge transfer through investment, becoming more effective at working with the private sector, and expanding regional integration.
28 June 2013
Sri Lanka Alternate Governor visits ADB, signs loan to improve water and wastewater management
President Nakao on 28 June 2013 met with Sri Lanka's Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance and Planning and ADB Alternate Governor PB Jayasundera, who led a delegation to discuss ADB's support to Sri Lanka and the country's current economic development. Both parties signed a loan agreement for $84 million for the Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater Management Improvement Investment Program in Sri Lanka, the first of a $300 million Multitranche Financing Facility to improve urban environment and quality of life for Greater Colombo residents. The Sri Lanka delegation also met with Board members and senior staff.
28 June 2013
Swiss State Secretary visits ADB
Swiss State Secretary and Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs Ineichen-Fleisch met with President Nakao on 28 June 2013. In another meeting, she discussed progress of the regional integration and cooperation in Asia and the Pacific with ADB's Iwan Azis. She also visited an ADB project in Tondo, Manila implemented by SPM International, a Swiss NGO.
27-28 June 2013
President Nakao reaffirms ADB's partnership with Australia
ADB's strong partnership with Australia was reinforced during the President's high-level talks with AusAID Director General Peter Baxter and other senior parliamentarians, during a visit to Canberra and Sydney on 27-28 June 2013. The President discussed ways to strengthen cooperation with Australia and highlighted the need to work together to tackle development challenges facing the region. He also did an interview with the Australian Financial Review.
25 June 2013
President Nakao addresses Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
In a keynote address on 25 June 2013, the President urged Papua New Guinea, a long-term development partner of ADB, to become more inclusive, integrated, and innovative to achieve sustainable economic growth. The audience comprised private sector groups, government, and media. Read news release.
24-25 June 2013
President Nakao visits Papua New Guinea
During the 24-25 June 2013 visit, the President met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, the Treasurer and ADB Governor Don Polye, and National Planning and Monitoring Minister Charles Abel. He discussed ADB's assistance program and visited the ADB-supported Rouna Hydropower Station and the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program at Jackson's Airport.
20 June 2013
President Nakao meets ADB's External Forum on Gender
President Nakao on 20 June 2013 met with members of ADB's External Forum on Gender to exchange views on key gender issues in Asia and the Pacific region, ranging from violence to human development, economic empowerment, and participation in decision making. The President expressed appreciation to EFG for sharing its experience and diverse ideas with ADB.
19 June 2013
President Nakao welcomes Philippine President to GDN Annual Conference
President Nakao on 19 June 2013 highlighted the relevance of inequality, social protection, and inclusive growth - the theme of Global Development Network's 14th Annual Conference - to global discussions on new development goals as he welcomed about 400 participants, including development researchers and practitioners. Philippine President Aquino gave the keynote address, opening the 3-day event. ADB is co-hosting the conference with GDN and other partners.
12-14 June 2013
President Nakao addresses ADB Institute's first Asia Think Tank Summit
The President delivered the keynote address at the first Asia Think Tank Summit 2013, emphasizing the important role think tanks play in supporting policy development and dissemination of ideas. ADB Institute and the University of Pennsylvania on 12-14 June 2013 in Tokyo co-hosted the summit, which brought together leading think tanks in Asia and the Pacific to discuss regional and global developments.
11 June 2013
President Nakao addresses Conference of Montreal, meets Canadian ministers
The President on 11 June 2013 in Montreal addressed the plenary session of the International Economic Forum of the Americas' 19th Edition of the Conference of Montreal, stressing the need for Asia and the Pacific to move toward green and more inclusive growth, and address financing and knowledge gaps to achieve sustainable growth. President Nakao also held bilateral meetings including with Canada's Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino. On 12 June 2013 in Ottawa, the President held a bilateral meeting with Canada's Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies and Associate Deputy Minister of Finance Jean Boivin. ED Micheline Aucoin joined the President's mission.
10 June 2013
President Nakao says rule of law essential to Asia's economic development
The President, in his speech at the annual meeting of Conference of Presidents of Law Associations in Asia, emphasized the need to develop, enforce, and advance the rule of law; and provide access to justice for better governance in the region. The conference was held in Tokyo with about 120 participants from across the region.
6 June 2013
President Nakao addresses high-level forum on fragile situations
The President on 6 June 2013 opened the ADB-AusAID forum, Building Resilience to Fragility in Asia and the Pacific, emphasizing the need for better response to fragility and conflict situations by drawing on country and international experiences. Governments, development partners, and civil society organizations brainstormed at the forum in HQ on ways to work in fragile and conflict-affected situations to support the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. Visit fragilesituations.adb.org.
24 May 2013
President Nakao speaks at international conference on Asia's future
The President discussed prospects and challenges of Asia at the Nikkei 19th International Conference on the Future of Asia, held on 24 May 2013 in Tokyo. In an open dialogue session with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, President Nakao shared his views on potential risks to Asia's long-term prosperity and measures to overcome them. He also stressed how stronger integration can benefit the region's trade and economy. More than 600 participants, mostly from top-tier businesses, attended. See video.
20 May 2013
President Nakao addresses water summit in Thailand
The President on 20 May spoke at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Chiang Mai, where heads of states and governments discussed the region's water challenges. President Nakao highlighted key findings of the Asia Water Development Outlook 2013 and emphasized that water challenges need innovative, inclusive, and integrated solutions, many of which are available in the region. Read the President's speech.
19 May 2013
President Nakao meets Prime Minister of Thailand
On 19 May, President Nakao met with Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss cooperation between ADB and Thailand, during the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Chiang Mai. The meeting marked the President’s first official visit to a developing member country since the Annual Meeting in Delhi.