2008 Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting
25 April 2008
This update provides the most recent information regarding the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank held in Madrid, Spain from May 3-6. It also includes the activities of civil society organizations taking place during the meeting.
Contents
- Asian Development Bank Program of Events
- Civil Society Events
- Press Releases
- Press
- Documents
- Useful websites
1. Asian Development Bank Program of Events
2. Civil Society Events
Guide to the Civil Society Program (Acrobat pdf, 94 KB)
Panel Discussion:Exploring Best Practices to Mainstream Core Labor Standards
Time: Saturday, May 3, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Venue: North Convention Centre, Room 105
The Core Labor Standards (CLS) are an integral part of ADB’s development mission and have been incorporated into the bank’s Social Protection Strategy. CLS are a set of four internationally recognized basic rights and principles at work aimed at ensuring workers’ rights to trade union organization and collective bargaining, freedom from discrimination in the workplace, and the elimination of child labor and forced labor. Launched in 2006, the ADB Core Labor Standards Handbook informs bank staff of the four CLS and their application to ADB operations. Initial poverty and social assessments of ADB-financed projects are required to take into account labor impacts. In this panel discussion, representatives of public sector workers, the International Labour Organization, NGO Forum on ADB, and ADB will explore how the CLS can be more effectively mainstreamed in ADB operations.
MODERATOR:
- Mr. Katsuhiko Sato, Regional Secretary, Asia and Pacific Regional Organization, Public Services International (PSI), Philippines
PANELISTS:
- Ms. Annie Geron, Vice President, PSI, Philippines
- Mr. Sebastian Paust, ADB Executive Director for Constituency of Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Turkey, and the United Kingdom
- Hemantha Withanage, Executive Director, NGO Forum on ADB
- Mr. Xianbin Yao, Acting Director General, Regional and Sustainable Development Department, ADB
- Mr. Momar N’Diaye, Senior Reports Officer Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Department (FPRW/Declaration) International Labour Organization, Geneva
Panel Discussion: Safeguards Protect the Poor - Why the ADB must Retain and Strengthen its Mandatory Safeguard Policies
Time: Sunday, May 4, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Venue: North Convention Centre, Room 105
ADB has indicated that the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS), issued in October 2007, aims to respond to the changing situation in Asia and borrowers needs and at the same time improve the clarity of the existing policies. Many CSOs are concerned that due to the proposed flexibility, the SPS draft does not provide the intended clarity but rather results in vague provisions that are likely to undermine the purpose of the safeguard policies.
The objective of this panel – organized by Oxfam Australia - is to provide a space for exchange between different stakeholders on the key issues around the Safeguard Policy Update (SPU). The speakers will present their views on the ongoing SPU process. Key questions discussed will include how safeguards policies can be developed so that they provide clarity for implementation and at the same time protect the needs of affected people. Consideration will also be given to the introduction of country systems and the proposed framework approach in the SPS draft.
MODERATOR:
Mr. Michael Simon, Advocacy Coordinator, Oxfam Australia
PANELISTS:
Mr. N.J. Ahmad, Director, Environmental and Social Safeguard Division, ADB
Mr. Patrick Brandt, Alternate Executive Director representing Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, ADB
Mr. Ted Downing, Research Professor of Social Development, University of Arizona
Ms. Stephanie Fried, Senior Scientist, International Program, Environmental Defense
Ms. Joanna Levitt, Co-Director, International Accountability Project
Ms. Titi Soentoro, Finance Campaigner, NADI (Indonesia)
Panel Discussion: Promoting Real Alternatives: Long-term Energy Imperatives in Asia and the ADB
Time: Monday, May 5, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Venue: North Convention Centre, Rooms 115-116
The climate crisis is forcing a fundamental rethink regarding energy-related development pathways, models, and regional strategies. How enduring the resolution of this debate will depend largely on the extent to which dimensions of sustainable energy, energy security and justice are integrated into long-term development strategies in the region. There is an urgent need to put in place policies preferential to the rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency programs in Asia, leveraging the right investments that can address both the development aims and energy security needs of developing countries in the region, as well as contribute significantly to helping avert climate change.
As an institution attempting to reshape its long-term relevance in the region and whose very existence, to a growing number of peoples across Asia, many CSOs believe that ADB needs to fundamentally change the directions that its energy-driven operations have taken thus far – on the basis of the huge and still growing commercial potential of sustainable energy-anchored development. This panel will answer what needs to be done, how, and by when.
MODERATOR:
- Mr. Michael Simon, Advocacy Coordinator, Oxfam Australia
PANELISTS:
- Ms. Natalia Ablova, Director, Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law (Kyrgyz Republic)
- Mr. S. Chander, Deputy Director General, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB
- Mr. Longgena Ginting, Campaigns Coordinator, Friends of the Earth International
- Mr. Jose Luis Garcia Ortega, Climate Campaign Manager, Greenpeace Spain
- Representative of the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21)
3. Press Releases
4. Press
- NGOs doubt future of Asia's poor under ADB, INQUIRER.net, May 4 2008 (INQUIRER.net website)
- Asian Development Bank rethinks its strategy for reducing poverty by Patrick Blum, International Herald Tribune, May 4, 2008 (IHT website)
- DEVELOPMENT: Food Crisis Rises To Forefront At AsDB Sessions, Marwaan Macan-Markar, Inter Press Service, May 4, 2008 (IPS website)
- DEVELOPMENT: NGOs Welcome At AsDB Meeting by Marwaan Macan-Markar, Inter Press Service, May 3, 2008 (IPS website)
- ADB Adrift, Wall Street Journal Asia, May 2, 2008 (Wall Street Journal website)
- ADB to meet amid food crisis, growing poverty Agence France-Press, April 30, 2008 (MSN website)
5. Articles and documents
Civil society petition presented to President Kuroda during the 41st ADB- Annual Governors Meeting- Madrid NGO Forum on ADB, May 3, 2008 (Acrobat pdf, 104 KB)
Media list for Madrid ADB Annual Meeting (Acrobat pdf, 646 KB)
Solidarity Dialogue and Forum: Asia and Spain - Flyer (Acrobat pdf, 649 KB)
6. Useful websites