It is my great honour to welcome you to the official website of the 49th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank, which will be held in Frankfurt, Germany from 2 to 5 May 2016.

The ADB Annual Meeting will be one of the most important international events Germany will host in 2016 as it will bring together over 3000 people from across the globe, with officials from member countries, representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, business, civil society, and the media. I am very pleased to announce that Chancellor Angela Merkel has confirmed she will attend the Host Country Reception Event on 2 May.

Financing will be the key to meeting the historic challenges set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the landmark climate agreement reached in Paris. While 2015 was a year of historic commitments, 2016 must become the starting point for implementation. “Cooperating for Sustainability” is the chosen theme of the meeting, and so it will address innovative financing instruments for meeting the challenges associated with sustainable energy supply, vocational training and better jobs. Other key issues will be financial cooperation between Europe and Asia, as well as the role of municipalities in advancing sustainable development.

You will also have great opportunities to experience sustainable development outside the official programme. We are currently preparing a special venue at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds where public and private stakeholders will present their latest innovations and ideas for enabling sustainable development. Furthermore, thematic tours to companies, cities, and research institutions showcasing flagship projects for sustainability are currently being prepared.

The Organizing Committee has designed this website to provide participants with practical information about the event and general information about Frankfurt and Germany. I hope that after attending the ADB Annual Meeting you will have time to explore Frankfurt and Germany. Germany enjoys a rich history and there are many ways for you to enjoy the country’s hospitality, stunning scenery and fascinating culture.

I look forward to welcoming you to Frankfurt.

Hans-Joachim Fuchtel

Chair of the Board of Governors and
Governor for Germany of the
Asian Development Bank
Parliamentary State Secretary to the
Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation
and Development
Member of the German Bundestag