The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met Friday with the Philippines’ President Benigno S. Aquino III and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima as part of preparations for the organization’s 45th Annual Meeting, which takes place 2-5 May in Manila.
President Haruhiko Kuroda took the opportunity to commend the Government for its focus on governance reforms.
“Good governance is essential for ensuring sustained, inclusive growth and creating an environment for a competitive private sector. The mutual commitment of both the Government and ADB to good governance is reflected in the theme of this year’s Annual Meeting – “Inclusive Growth through Better Governance and Partnerships,” and several of its seminars and knowledge sharing events are dedicated to discussing this issue,” he said.
President Kuroda also visited the Philippine International Convention Center, the venue for this year’s event, which is expected to attract more than 4,000 participants. Finance ministers and central bank governors, representatives from international organizations, private sector, civil society, and global media are also expected to attend.
The Governors’ Seminar will focus on Asia’s response to the global economic crisis. Other seminar topics and panel discussions include new models for green growth in the region; how to protect vulnerable cities; how to deliver financial services to the world’s poor; and how to feed the world in an age of growing demand for food, feed and fuel.
Media registration for the Annual Meeting has started and will remain open until 20 April 2012. A fully equipped Media Center will be set up to accommodate about 100 journalists. 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.
