Promoting Information And Communication Technology In Adb Operations

Rapid advances in information and communication technology (ICT) continue to create tremendous opportunities for economic and social gains in the world's poorest areas. A key infrastructure of knowledge-based economies. ICT is a driving force for rapidly growing new sectors. The Strategy 2020 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reinforces the importance of drawing on ICT to enhance development in Asia and the Pacific. In line with Strategy 2020, ADB's 2013 ICT for Development Strategy and with the support of the Republic of Korea's e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund (EAKPF), this study examines and identifies opportunities for promoting ICT in ADB operations.

Asia proved resilient to the effects of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, but sustaining rapid growth became more difficult afterward. Development challenges intensified, the global development agenda became more ambitious, and new sources of development finance emerged. This volume shows how the Asian Development Bank (ADB) continued to reform in order to meet these challenges. A new long-term strategic framework, Strategy 2020, was launched in 2008, to respond to the changing needs of the region. A midterm review of Strategy 2020 was released in 2014, further refining and adjusting priorities in order for ADB to remain relevant and responsive to borrowers. Various organizational changes were introduced, internal business processes were improved, and several new instruments were adopted as part of ADB's efforts to become "stronger, better, faster." ADB's lending capacity expanded significantly, with the fifth general capital increase in 2009, followed by the unique and groundbreaking combination of the Asian Development Fund portfolio with the ordinary capital resources balance sheet approved in 2015. Lending reached record levels in 2015 and 2016, exceeding the earlier spike in 2009 when ADB had responded to the needs of countries affected by the global economic crisis. ADB also enhanced its accountability and results orientation, becoming the first multilateral development bank to adopt a corporate results framework in 2008.

The publication guides the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in meeting the recommendations of the midterm review of the ADB Strategy 2020 to provide increased emphasis on food security and agriculture productivity. The Plan, which builds on the earlier Operational Plan for Sustainable Food Security in Asia and the Pacific (2010–2014), focuses ADB agriculture and natural resources (ANR) sector operations in four priority areas: (i) increasing the productivity and reducing pre- and postharvest losses of food crops; (ii) improving market connectivity and value chain linkages; (iii) enhancing food safety, quality, and nutrition; and (iv) enhancing management and climate resilience of natural resources. The outcome will be improved focus and quality of ADB ANR operations in meeting developing member country needs toward safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all.

The role of information and communication technology (ICT) in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world transcends geographical boundaries, economies, and sectors. Over the past decade, ICT has helped create the most rapidly growing industry sectors, driven efficiency in government and business operations, and developed the essential building blocks to a knowledge-based economy. The ability of ICT to change the way people do things is either hidden in internal processes---such as how a government office manages data collection---or manifest in the end product---such as digital support for health care services in a remote province. While the level and nature of the benefits of ICT may differ for every stakeholder, there is a consensus of what ICT can help provide to governments, businesses, and citizens: faster access to relevant information, an efficient means for communication, an enhanced ability to make informed decisions, and a voice to otherwise unheard peoples. As these cases from the Asian Development Bank would show, access to ICT alone will not result in significant, lasting change. It is the adoption of appropriate technology, paralleled with an enabling policy environment, a responsive and needs-based approach, improved individual and institutional capacity, nurtured partnerships with key stakeholders, leadership by local champions, effectively managed change, and sustained support that make the difference.

Political economy analysis facilitates understanding on how incentives, institutions, and ideas shape political action and development outcomes in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs). These factors can inform assessments of feasibility of policy reform and institutional change, the contribution that ADB and other development partners can realistically make, and the risks involved. A political economy analysis can, therefore, strengthen the design of more effective support, leading to better development results. While important for all DMCs, political economy considerations especially matter in DMCs with fragile and conflict-affected situations. This guidance note develops a definition and parameters for political economy analysis to ensure consistency; and to guide country, sector, and project teams in analysis. It provides ADB staff with guidance on how political economy analysis can be used to inform the design and implementation of ADB operations for more feasible and sustainable development outcomes.

This book explores how Chinese border provinces have become actors in international relations. Through an analysis of the international actorness – the inherent characteristics of a subnational entity as an international player – of Yunnan and two other geographically peripheral provinces, Guangdong and Guangxi, the domestic, economic, and legislative circumstances that motivated these provinces to conduct transboundary engagements are determined. The book is based on an extensive field study including interviews with those involved in the implementation of Yunnan’s foreign agenda, representatives from province-owned enterprises, universities and think tanks, and officials and experts from the countries neighboring Yunnan. Acknowledging the role of external geopolitics, the authors analyze the efforts of these border provinces to incentivize neighboring countries to cooperate with them on areas of trade, investment, and nontraditional security. Yao Song and Tianyang Liu also observe how border provinces have leveraged their paradiplomatic strengths to affect China’s foreign relations with neighboring countries. This volume will appeal to researchers, academics, and postgraduates in political science, international relations, and diplomacy as well as geography, Southeast Asian politics, political economy, Chinese periphery diplomacy, and nonfederal paradiplomacy.

In 2011, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $21.72 billion in financing operations, representing a 14.5% increase on 2010 financing, according to the latest Annual Report of the Board of Directors to the Board of Governors. The 2011 Annual Report highlights how ADB has helped developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific make progress toward inclusive growth. It includes a comprehensive discussion on ADB’s operational, administrative, and financial activities in 2011, complete financial statements and opinions of the independent auditors, and a separate report on the activities of the Special Funds of ADB. It also contains chapters on regional, sectoral and thematic highlights.

Why and how did South Korea become the world’s top digital government leader? This book examines the Korean model and how it is different from the digital government models of the West, specifically of the United States and the UK. The book also looks at the successes and failures that South Korea has encountered during the process of helping developing nations set up digital governments. The book begins with the origins and historical development of digital governance. It examines digital government strategies and informatization policies in Korea’s nation development and its promotion of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. The book explains that one of the key successes was the result of leadership and a strong pan-governmental propulsion system, namely ICT governance. The book also suggests a new digital government development model in response to rapid changes in the ICT environment, specifically in view of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is a useful reference for developing countries that are looking at developing their own national information master plan, including digital government.