The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Mr Takehiko Nakao visited Canberra on 26 June to affirm the ADB's strong partnership with Australia.
Mr Nakao assumed office as ADB's ninth President on 28 April 2013. This is his first regional visit as President of the ADB.
ADB is a multilateral development bank operating in the Asia-Pacific region. It works with member governments, independent specialists and other financial institutions to deliver projects targeted at reducing poverty and ensuring growth across the Asia-Pacific region is sustainable and inclusive.
ADB is an important development partner for Australia. It is the principal international development finance institution for the Asia-Pacific region and is able to leverage financial resources and expertise for sustainable development and poverty reduction in the region.
In 2012, Australian core funding to ADB contributed to:
- approximately 172,500 people provided with increased access to safe water
- more than 24,600 people provided with increased access to basic sanitation
- more than 4,070 classrooms built or upgraded
- more than 13,720 teachers trained
- more than 580 kilometers of roads constructed, rehabilitated or maintained
- more than 26,800 poor women and men with increased access to financial services.
Australia's membership and financial contributions to ADB provide Australia with the opportunity to engage and influence policy at the highest levels for strengthened regional development outcomes.