ADB's over-arching goal is to reduce poverty in Asia and the Pacific. It helps improve the quality of people's lives by providing loans and technical assistance for a broad range of development activities.

How is ADB different from commercial banks?

ADB is a non-profit, multilateral development finance institution that engages in mostly public sector lending for development purposes in its developing member countries. ADB's clients are its member governments, who are also its shareholders.

Why is ADB in Manila?

On 30 November 1965, delegates of the United Nation's Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East voted Manila to host the ADB headquarters.

Does ADB have offices in other countries?

Yes. Our headquarters is in Manila, Philippines. We also have offices in many borrowing countries in Asia and the Pacific region as well as in three cities in developed member countries, namely, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Washington, DC.

What development issues does ADB focus on?

We focus on poverty reduction. In doing so, we emphasize:

Promotion of pro-poor, sustainable economic growth
Social development
Good governance

In support of the above, ADB concentrates on:

Protection of the environment
Promotion of gender and development
Private sector development
Regional cooperation

Has ADB really made any difference?

Yes. Over the years, we have played a significant role in economic and social transformation in Asia and the Pacific--boosting economic growth, fostering social development, and helping improve the quality of life for millions of people.

How is ADB helping Afghanistan?

ADB is playing a crucial role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. We will provide up to $500 million in highly concessional loans and grant over the first 2.5 years of the Afghanistan Interim Administration.

What sectoral priorities for Afghanistan's rehabilitation will ADB focus on?

Since more than 80 percent of Afghanistan's population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, ADB considers agriculture and rural development as one of its priority sectors for rehabilitation. Other sectors include:

infrastructure
education
health
transport and energy

Is it true that ADB plans to construct dozens of dams along the Mekong River?

Absolutely not. In recent years, only one dam has been built with ADB finance in the Mekong region. All our other projects have been for needed physical and social infrastructure, in support of sub-regional development.

Is ADB a driving force behind globalization?

No. ADB is a development bank, focused exclusively on reducing poverty in the Asia-Pacific region. It recognizes both the potential benefits and the downside risks of globalization, and tries to maximize the former and minimize the latter.

Why did ADB choose to hold its 2002 Annual Meeting in Shanghai, People's Republic of China?

Each year, ADB is invited to hold its annual meeting in one of its member countries. It is the host government that chooses the venue.

Is this the first time that ADB will hold its annual meeting in PRC?

No. In 1989, ADB's 22nd annual meeting was held in Beijing.

When did PRC join ADB?

PRC has been a member of ADB since 1986.

What was the total ADB lending to PRC in 2001?

In 2001, ADB approved six loans amounting to US $997 million compared to the previous year's loans worth US $872.3 million. For technical assistance operations, ADB approved 20 TAs amounting to US$12.4 million last year, compared with 25 TAs for $16.7 million in 2000.

What does ADB's operational strategy in PRC focus on?

Our operations focus on:

promoting growth to reduce poverty in poor inland provinces
improving economic efficiency
improving environmental protection and natural resource management

How much do ADB annual meetings cost?

The budgeted cost to ADB for its Annual Meeting in Shanghai in 2002 is in the region of US $700,000.

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