Nepal to take part in ADB annual meeting

Nepal will participate in the 46th annual meeting of Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Board of Governors, which begins tomorrow, in New Delhi.
The meeting will discuss ADB's annual programme, assistance strategy and effectiveness of resource mobilisation, said finance secretary Shanta Raj Subedi before leaving for Delhi today.
On the occasion, Nepal will also hold dialogues on bilateral assistance on economic and social development with other participating countries, he said, adding that finance minister Shankar Koirala will lead the Nepali team in the annual meeting on May 2-5.
Delegates from other member countries of ADB have also started reaching New Delhi to register for the meeting.
More than 4,400 delegates — comprising of top policymakers, business leaders, media, academics, civil society, and development institution representatives — will attend the meeting.
High level officials from Asia and the Pacific will join other delegates to discuss a range of topics central to the region’s sustainable growth and development, including job creation, mobilising infrastructure finance, and fostering deeper regional cooperation.
This year’s governors’ seminar, 'Beyond Factory Asia: Fueling Growth in a Changing World', will look at ways the region can transform its economic model, moving from factory-driven manufacturing up the production value chain to alternative growth sources while avoiding the middle income trap.
As host of this year’s meeting, India chose the theme of 'Empowerment through Development,' providing a platform to discuss how vulnerable groups can be provided with better access to health, education and other social services.
Featured panelists represent the African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Harvard University, International Monetary Fund, London School of Economics, Mizuho Financial Group and Standard & Poor’s rating agency.
Representatives of ASEAN+3, which includes the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and South Korea will also hold discussions on the occasion.