Asian Development Bank

INTRO TO ADB

Founded in 1966 Headquarters are in Manila, Philippines Primary mission is to foster growth and

cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific Region

Non-governmental organization providing funding and technical assistance

 From 31 members at its establishment, ADB now has 67 members - of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside

INTRO TO ADB

 At present, both the United States and Japan hold 552,210 shares, the largest proportion of shares at 12.756% each.

 China holds 228,000 shares (6.429%), India holds 224,010 shares (6.317%), the 2nd and 3rd largest proportion of shares respectively.

STATED GOALS

1. Promoting economic growth

2. Reducing poverty3. Developing human

resources4. Improving the

status of women5. Protecting the

environment

FUNCTIONS

Provides loans and equity investments to its developing member countries

Provides technical assistance for the planning and execution of development projects and programs and for advisory services

Promotes and facilitates investment of public and private capital for development

Assists in coordinating development policies and plans of its DMCs

AREAS OF WORK

The Bank's operations cover a wide spectrum of activities and have been classified according to the following sectors:

1. Agriculture and natural resources2. Transport and communications3. Energy4. Industry and non-fuel minerals5. Finance6. Social infrastructure

CHALLENGES

Safe water is still not available to 60% of the people in the member countries

Improved sanitation facilities have still not reached 70% of the people

Out of every 100 children, 40 die before they reach the age of 15. Infant mortality rate is very high

Half of the undernourished population of the world lives in Asia

Rising inflation has adversely impacted growth rates in Asia

ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

ADB has focused on good governance and macroeconomic stability

The triggers for reform in most PDMCs have been intrinsically related to fiscal crises, unmanageable government debts, public dissatisfaction with government performance, and election of reform-oriented governments

AREAS OF EMPHASIS

1. Supporting legislative reform of the role of parliament and the public sector

2. Strengthening good governance institutions3. Introducing fiscal discipline and output focused

budgeting4. Downsizing the civil service and strengthening its

professionalism5. Promoting more open and growth-orientated

economic policies6. Encouraging privatization and a larger role for

the private sector

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The ADB has 64 Member Countries, 45 from within the Asia-Pacific region of which 42 are borrowing countries, referred to as Developing Member Countries

Each member county is represented on the Board of Governors

The less influential countries are grouped into constituencies and the constituency is represented by an Executive Director (ED) and an Alternate Executive Director

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Board of Governors elects a 12-person Board of Executive Directors, who are nominated by their respective governments. Representation on this board is determined by the level of financial contribution to the ADB

Within the constituency countries that make the largest contributions hold the ED and AED positions. Between them the 4 WaterAid working countries hold around 9% of voting rights

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Below the executive level the Bank is organized into departments, including 5 regional departments for managing operations.

All WaterAid working countries fall within the South Asia regional department