The Asian Development Fund Operations

This study reviews the development effectiveness of operations of the Asian Development Fund (ADF) approved during ADF VIII and ADF IX (2001-2008) and reports on progress in the first 2 years of implementing ADF X (2009-2010). It identifies key issues, and offers recommendations for strengthening ADF operations in ADB's developing member countries.

This book is a history of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a multilateral development bank established 50 years ago to serve Asia and the Pacific. Focusing on the region’s economic development, the evolution of the international development agenda, and the story of ADB itself, this book raises several key questions: What are the outstanding features of regional development to which ADB had to respond? How has the bank grown and evolved in changing circumstances? How did ADB’s successive leaders promote reforms while preserving continuity with the efforts of their predecessors? ADB has played an important role in the transformation of Asia and the Pacific the past 50 years. As ADB continues to evolve and adapt to the region’s changing development landscape, the experiences highlighted in this book can provide valuable insight on how best to serve Asia and the Pacific in the future.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) issued its long-term strategic framework, Strategy 2020, in April 2008 to guide its operations to meet the changing assistance needs of its developing members. The strategy identified financial sector development as one of the five focal areas of ADB's operations through 2020. This Financial Sector Operational Plan aims to articulate the financial sector agendas of Strategy 2020 and guide its implementation by ADB.

This publication tells the story of independent evaluation in the Asian Development Bank (ADB)---from its early years to the expansion of activities under a broader mandate---points up the application of knowledge management to sense-making, and brings to light the contribution that knowledge audits can make to organizational learning. It identifies the 10 challenges that ADB must overcome to develop as a learning organization and specifies practicable next steps to conquer each. The messages in this publication will echo outside ADB and appeal to the development community and people having interest in knowledge and learning.

This publication provides guidance on how civil society organizations (CSOs) can be more effectively engaged in Asian Development Bank (ADB) operations to maximize the benefits for its developing member countries. With their unique strengths and specialized knowledge of their communities and constituencies, CSOs have an essential role to play in creating a more prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. To contribute to this, the publication provides advice, templates, and tips for ADB staff and country officials to use when designing, implementing, and monitoring ADB-financed operations.

This revised edition offers updated information and an expanded range of tools to support ADB staff and stakeholders to implement participatory approaches effectively. The updated content reflects ADB's new business processes and highlights key opportunities for participation in policy dialogue and throughout the project cycle, and advises on methods and approaches, as well as pitfalls to avoid. In this edition, special attention is given to safeguards, gender, governance, HIV/AIDS and infrastructure, and water and sanitation. A wealth of participation resources developed by a wide range of organizations exists online; this guide includes an inventory of references for those seeking further information.