Empowering people after a natural disaster by giving them access to their rights and entitlements allows them to reconstruct the legal foundation for their lives and livelihoods. The Asia and Pacific region is likely to see more natural disasters over the next 2–3 decades as a result of climate change. Countries in Asia and the Pacific will be in the best position to serve the needs of future potential ...

Throughout the world, the commercialization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has led to increased efficiencies, reduced costs, improved service delivery, and better outcomes for the economy in terms of resource allocation and productivity. Why? Because commercialization allows SOE performance to be better measured in terms of results. Commercial governance structures bring about greater transparency ...

With a view to strengthening ADB cooperation with civil society organizations (CSOs), the NGOC periodically prepares reports as the context for CSO activities in various developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. These studies contribute to awareness of the important role that CSOs play in promoting development across the Asia-Pacific region. The reports are usually prepared by NGOs or with ...

ADB is conducting a comprehensive review of its PCP. Reviewing the policy every five years is a mandatory requirement. The review will assess how the overall objectives stated in the PCP are being achieved and recommend changes to the current policy to make it more effective. The review process will also ensure that the PCP reflects lessons learned.

In May 2003, ADB approved a new accountability mechanism (AM) to replace the previous 1995 Inspection Function. The mechanism was established to provide better access for people adversely affected by the ADBassisted projects to voice and seek solutions to their problems and also report alleged violations of ADB’s operational policies and procedures. Establishment of the mechanism is also an effort ...

The term governance has various meanings, but in broad terms the concept describes the institutional environment in which citizens interact among themselves and with government agencies. Good governance is concerned directly with the development process, involving both the public and private sectors. Indeed, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) considers it as an essential element in achieving its ...

With a view to strengthening ADB cooperation with civil society organizations (CSOs), the NGOC periodically prepares reports as the context for CSO activities in various developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. These studies contribute to awareness of the important role that CSOs play in promoting development across the Asia-Pacific region. The reports are usually prepared by NGOs or with ...

Promoting town development has long been central to the urbanization strategy of the People’s Republic of China and is underscored by the Government’s continuous search for specific policy mechanisms that will enable economic growth and attract more rural migrants to towns. The Town-based Urbanization Strategy Study was carried out to identify the policy tools, implementation mechanisms, and priority ...

The purpose of the Central Region Urban Environmental Improvement Project (CRUEIP), which targets several of Viet Nam’s secondary cities, is to strengthen the capacity of local government institutions in improving urban infrastructure. The CRUEIP aims to increase awareness of health and environmental issues, and to reduce health and environmental hazards. The CRUEIP supports the Government’s ...

Climate change has implications for all aspects of urban development through a wide range of impacts on the planning and services systems.