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ADB 2030 Aim: End To Poverty In Asia And The Pacific

Strategy 2030 is the new long-term plan for the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) strong com­mitment to eradicate ex­treme poverty in Asia and the Pacific. The strategy to be released later
06 May 2018 13:28
ADB 2030 Aim: End To Poverty In Asia And The Pacific
Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with Asian Development Bank’s vice-president for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Stephen Goff after the Future Host Country Event at the ADB headquarters in Manila, Philippines on May 4, 2018. Fiji will host the 2019 ADB Annual Meeting, the first time it will be held in the Pacific region. Photo: Maraia Vula

Strategy 2030 is the new long-term plan for the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) strong com­mitment to eradicate ex­treme poverty in Asia and the Pacific.

The strategy to be released later this year will also ex­pand the bank’s vision to achieve a prosperous, inclu­sive, resilient, and sustain­able region.

This was highlighted by the ADB president Take­hiko Nakao while deliv­ering his address at the Opening Session in Manila Philippines yesterday of the Board of Governors during the 51st ADB Annu­al Meeting.

With the theme “Linking People and Economies for Inclusive Growth,” 4,000 delegates from member governments, academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives at­tended this year’s Annual Meeting.

Strategy 2030 which is in the consultation process, he said, highlighted the ADB’s achievements in 2017, its continued solid growth of Asian economies, and im­pacts of new technologies on jobs.

Mr Nakao also highlighted that the Strategy 2030 will address existing and emerg­ing challenges.

“There is still persistent poverty,” said Mr Nakao.

“We must address rising inequality, growing envi­ronmental pressures, and rapid urbanization.

“Aging in some countries and an increasing youth population in others pre­sent opportunities as well as challenges.”

Strategy 2030 will be aligned with the interna­tional agenda, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agree­ment on climate change.

Strategy 2030 will have 10 priorities

(1) tackle remaining pover­ty and increasing inequali­ties in Asia and the Pacific

(2) accelerate progress in gender equality

(3) scale up support to combat climate change, build climate and disaster resilience, and enhance en­vironmental sustainability

(4) build livable cities that are competitive, green, re­silient, and inclusive

(5) promote rural develop­ment and food security

(6) strengthen governance

(7) foster regional coopera­tion and integration

(8) mobilise private sec­tor resources to meet the region’s huge development financing needs

(9) further strengthen ADB’s role as a provider and facilitator of knowl­edge

(10) pursue a stronger, bet­ter, and faster ADB.

“We will continue to use our financial resources effi­ciently and creatively,” Mr. Nakao said. “We will invest in our workforce, promote diversity including gender balance, and ensure a re­spectful workplace. We will expand our presence on the ground. We will dramati­cally modernize business processes to speed up our services to clients.

“A One ADB approach will break down silos and bring together expertise across ADB,” he added.

Mr Nakao appreciated the strong support of the Phil­ippines as ADB’s host coun­try since 1966 and thanked the government and its people for the excellent ar­rangements and warm hos­pitality.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing pov­erty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Estab­lished in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.

In 2017, ADB operations totaled US$32.2 billion, in­cluding US$11.9 billion in cofinancing.

maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj

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