Uzbekistan, Tashkent, May 1 / Trend, D.Azizov/
The 43rd Annual Meeting of the ADB, which starts its work in Tashkent these days.
The meeting is planned to be attended by 3000 participants, including heads of governments, heads of central banks, finance ministers and representatives of the private sector, academia, media and civil society from around the world.
Within the forum, to be held in the Central Asia for the first time, its participants will be given an opportunity to participate in the dialog on wide range of problems related with ADB mission on reduction of poverty in the Asian region.
The annual meeting in 2010 will review progress made within the "Strategy 2020" - a long-term strategic program of ADB, adopted in 2008 at the annual meeting in Madrid.
The meeting will discuss along with issues of reforming the global financial architecture, regional cooperation and post-crisis development in Asia, protection of the environment and climate change. A number of countries, including India, Uzbekistan and China, will present their countries.
In parallel with the ADB meeting Tashkent will host the meeting of finance ministers of ASEAN+3.
The Tashkent meeting will hold its formal opening session May 3.
Uzbekistan joined ADB in 1995 and is the 15th largest shareholder among regional members and the 14th largest borrower. In total, ADB has extended 34 loans for more than US$2.5 billion on a commitment basis. ADB has also provided technical assistance of more than US$41 million.
During the second half of 2010, ADB approved allocation of four loans worth $1.14 billion, including for development of the proposed Talimarjan Transmission Project - $350 million, construction of national highway - $600 million and support of small entrepreneurship - $50 million and improvement of drinking water supply in cities of the Fergana Valley -$140 million.
ADB, headquarters of which is in Manila, was established in 1966. Its members include 67 countries, 48 of which are in the region.
ADB's highest policy-making body is its Board of Governors and the annual meetings are statutory occasions for the Governors to provide guidance on ADB administrative, financial and operational directions.