Effectiveness of ADB Approaches and Assistance to Poverty Reduction

Abstract

Poverty reduction was the overarching objective in the COSs of two countries (Bangladesh and Nepal), while the COSs in the other three countries focused on economic growth as the best means for reducing or pre-venting poverty (Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, and Philippines). In spite of this commitment to poverty reduction goals, none of the COSs contain comprehensive poverty reduction strategies. Two of them have an overview of the pro-poor initiatives under each sector strategy. However, they are just summary descriptions and not an effective ADB strategy for addressing poverty issues in each of the countries. Only few attempts are made at establishing clear priorities in response to poverty reduction goals or deciding on the sequencing of interventions. Information on other external agencies does not contain details on poverty reduction and the identification of ADB's niche is weak. The lack of a coherent country strategy for poverty reduction makes it difficult to put together a comprehensive poverty reduction portfolio. It also makes it impossible to evaluate attainments at the country level or to place project evaluations in a context that allows measuring the contributions of individual interventions to an overall goal.