Governance in the Pacific: Focus for Action: 2005-2009 (Pacific studies series)

Abstract

This report results from the implementation of ADB’s governance policy in the Pacific region. It provides an overview of governance issues, strengths, and weaknesses in ADB’s Pacific Developing Member Countries (PDMCs); and it aims to improve the understanding of the governance environment, both in individual countries and the region as a whole, and as the basis for a more focused policy dialogue with PDMC governments on areas where development partners, and ADB in particular, can help make development assistance more effective. ADB staff prepared the report. 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 overarching objective of poverty reduction in the region. All members of the aid community, from their own experience, recognize that in countries with effective governments, strong oversight institutions, an independent judiciary, and a vibrant civil society—i.e., countries with good governance—development assistance helps reduce poverty; without it, such assistance is mostly ineffective.