Better Performing Institutions in ADB Developing Member Countries

With public sector management (PSM) investments totaling $16.8 billion over the last decade, ADB is a major financier and partner for countries in Asia and the Pacific to advance PSM reforms and broader institutional development.  As developing member countries (DMCs) undergo deep changes to respond to complex development challenges and the emergence of new global development agendas, so too does ADB need to make changes in its approaches to supporting DMCs. PSM and institutional reform are challenging areas for ADB to work. They require experience working in the countries and an understanding of the drivers of reform and change. ADB’s operational performance has improved, but gaps remain. Recent reviews and evaluations point to the need for ADB to strengthen operational processes so there is sufficient attention to the quality and results of ADB’s engagements.

The paper aims to inform the preparation of ADB’s new long-term strategy for engaging with DMCs until 2030 as well as any future sector or thematic operational plans. The paper also serves as a guide to ADB operations and the work of the Governance Thematic Group.