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ADB’s Poverty Reduction Work – Major Highlights in 2007ADB operations directly targeting poverty reduction increased in 2007From 1 January to 15 December 2007, ADB has approved 46 public sector loan operations valued 4.9 billion USD. Of this, 28% of loans (29% of investments) are designed to directly contribute to poverty reduction objectives of the partner country. In addition, in 2005 and 2006, ADB supported 80 grant projects valued at $1.3 billion, of which 49% (53% of investments) were classified as targeted intervention. ADB distinguishes in its operations between direct and indirect contributions to the partner country’s poverty reduction results. Targeted projects reduce household poverty, support the poor’s social and environmental living standards under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and address geographic dimensions of poverty. Targeted interventions comprise about 22% of ADB’s total cumulative sovereign and non-sovereign operations approved between 1 January 2005 and 15 December 2007. Examples of ADB loan projects approved in 2007 that directly promote the poverty reduction agenda are shown below by sector area:
Conference on inclusive growth provided strategic directions to ADB’s Long Term Strategic FrameworkThe international conference on inclusive growth and poverty reduction in the new Asia and Pacific recommended better alignment of inclusive growth--ADB’s strategic goal--with its operational activities and internal capabilities. This will enable ADB to continue to play an important role in supporting Asia’s socioeconomic development. The strategic framework paper on key challenges of inclusive growth for ADB suggests that a better alignment could be achieved if ADB’s operations were particularly focused in development areas where markets and governments fail, and where ADB has or can develop capacities to make a difference. It emphasized the need for ADB to stay involved in social sectors, focus more on the linkages between poverty and environmental challenges, and address new dimensions of poverty in urban areas such as those related to migration, shelter and congestion. MDG Update 2007Together with UNDP and ESCAP, ADB published the 2007 MDG Update [ PDF: 2,810kb | 65 pages ] report for Asia and Pacific. The report shows that the region is progressing on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) due to sustained growth and social investments. However, mother and child health and environmental MDGs remain the key challenge. While the region as a whole and many countries are well on track to achieve many MDGs indicators, the report – in its special focus on disparities – identifies population groups and regions (in all countries) that are left behind. The MDG update advocates for more inclusive paths of growth and sharing in national progress. In 2007, the three sponsoring organizations also promoted the MDG agenda through regional conferences for Southeast Asia and for Central Asia and the Caucasus. The tripartite partnership also prepared a technical note [ PDF: 613kb | 64 pages ] on the MDGs in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus and background information on remittances and migration in the subregion. Inequalities in Asia and developing the concept of inclusive growthADB’s economic research department came out in 2007 with a series of innovative publications on inclusive growth and equity issues in Asia and the Pacific. Key studies include the following:
Key studies and technical assistance projects addressing poverty reductionBetween 1 January and 15 December 2007, ADB approved a total value of USD 18 million for 66 technical assistance projects, 14 of which were classified as targeted intervention, contributing more directly to poverty reduction. Examples of such projects are listed below by theme:
Poverty website gained popularityADB launched a restructured Poverty website at the end of 2006. The new website provides information on ADB’s comprehensive knowledge and operational work on poverty reduction and inclusive growth. It also features a database with more than 800 ADB-specific documents. The new poverty website is actively consulted by experts, institutions, and the general public from all over the world, making it the most visited ADB thematic website. New tools for analyzing poverty reductionADB developed new tools to help staff become more effective in designing and analyzing poverty relevant projects, as follows:
Annual Poverty Reduction report harmonized with Development Effectiveness reportIn 2004, ADB committed to inform the general public about its progress in implementing its enhanced poverty Reduction Strategy through Annual Poverty Reduction reports. The 2006 report was the first to combine analysis on poverty reduction and development effectiveness. Environmental PovertyAn ADB publication [ PDF: 44kb | 2 pages ] scheduled for release in February 2008 presents evidence that environmental problems will soon be the primary basis for poverty in Asia and the Pacific. The book goes beyond a discussion of the effects of climate change on the poor by modifying environmentalism to needs of poverty reduction. This pro-poor environmentalism uses a spatial approach that distinguishes the situation of the dryland poor from that of the upland poor, the coastal poor, and the slum poor. Fitting with its theme, the book has been jointly prepared by the environment and the poverty sections of ADB. Poverty Matters – although poverty funds closeIn 2002, ADB received two poverty reduction special funds from the Governments of the Netherlands (NPRS) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (PRS). Both funds are closing in 2007. They have funded 119 projects with a total sum of $65 million. 2007 was the year of wrapping up and evaluating. Project results are highlighted at the NPRS and PRF websites. Starting 2008, ADB will integrate all poverty relevant projects in the new Poverty Matters newsletter. |
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