The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will begin second stage of its 53rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors via virtual meetings and online seminars on Friday.

Ministers from ADB members, ADB management, and development and industry experts will discuss a range of issues confronting Asia and the Pacific as it responds to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, says an ADB release.

Webinar topics include universal health coverage, regional cooperation, technology and investments, resilient and inclusive recovery, and domestic resource mobilisation.

Full list of webinars and meetings will be available on the dedicated website.

ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa; Chair of the ADB Board of Governors, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea Hong Nam-Ki; and the Chair-elect of the Board of Governors and the Finance Minister of Georgia Ivane Matchavariani will address the ADB Governors on 18 September. 

Senior government officials, private sector representatives, development partners, youth and members of academia, civil society, and media are expected to participate in the online events.

Open sessions will be livestreamed on ADB’s website. ADB Annual Meeting news and updates can be followed on the website or ADB’s social media channels—Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn—using the hashtag #ADBAnnualMeeting.

ADB is actively supporting its members as they address the effects of COVID-19 through its comprehensive $20 billion response package announced on 13 April.

ADB has approved a series of measures to streamline its operations for quicker and more flexible delivery of assistance. Visit ADB’s website to learn more about our ongoing response.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

BDST: 1615 HRS, SEP 17, 2020
AP