ADBI CBT Priority Themes
Thematic Areas
Addressing Remaining Poverty and Reducing Inequality
While Asia and the Pacific have made tremendous progress in reducing income poverty, much more needs to be done to address the non-income dimensions of poverty and vulnerability in urban and rural areas; promote social inclusion and development, particularly for vulnerable groups; and build resilience. More
Accelerating Progress in Gender Equality
Providing equal access to economic opportunities for men and women is essential to ensure a sustainable and thriving economy. Tackling gender inequality is a complex, long-term challenge that requires broad social engagement, in addition to economic opportunities, access to land, financial instruments, and information and communication technology tools. More
Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration
ADBI helps its developing member countries (DMCs) reap the benefits, mitigate the risks, and maximize the opportunities resulting from globalization by promoting regional cooperation and integration. Initiatives are typically driven by investments in regional infrastructure, which also provide a platform for cooperation across member countries in areas of mutual interest. More
Making Cities More Livable
Urban populations have increased sharply and now comprise half the world's population. The United Nations projects that they will grow to about 6.4 billion in 2050, comprising about 70% of the world's population. This rapid urbanization is pronounced in developing nations in Asia, giving rise to environmental and urban problems such as the spread of informal settlements. More
Promoting Rural Development and Food Security
Asia and the Pacific have made remarkable progress in reducing food insecurity over the past quarter of a century, despite differences across subregions. But the burden of feeding the increasing population still falls heavily on developing member countries, and food production is being reduced by the decreasing rural population, unsustainable use of land and natural resources, and global climate change. More
Strengthening Governance and Institutional Capacity
Good governance and effective public management are essential for country and sector development. ADB’s message in its Asia 2050 report is clear—better governance across a range of dimensions and across Asia and the Pacific will determine whether a developing member country (DMC) can accelerate development and inclusive growth. More
Tackling Climate Change, Building Climate and Disaster Resilience, and Enhancing Environmental Sustainability
Asia and the Pacific make up the world's most disaster-prone region, accounting for 57% of the global death toll from natural disasters since 1970. Environmental degradation, climate change, and natural hazards continue to challenge countries’ ability to pursue environmentally sustainable growth. More
Special Activities
ADBI-Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Leadership Capacity Development on City-wide Inclusive Sanitation
ADBI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) jointly conduct capacity building and training (CBT) and research on advancing sanitation delivery, non-sewered sanitation, and the sanitation value chain to make cities more liveable and promote inclusive urban development. More
Nurturing Young Scholars and Policy Makers from Developing Member Countries
ADBI professional staff members will continue to teach graduate-level courses on Asian economic development and integration as part of the Asian Public Policy Program at Hitotsubashi University and the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo. ADBI will continue to participate in the ADBI–Keio Executive Training in Economics program, which began in 2014. More