DUSHANBE, May 10, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) concluded the 44th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors in Hanoi, Vietnam and announced that the 2012 meeting would take place in Manila, Philippines, the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM) reported on May 10.

ADB’s meeting in Hanoi started on 3 May and gathered a record number of around 4,000 delegates including finance ministers and other key policymakers, business leaders, and academics.  Civil society representatives and media also attended in record numbers.

Tajikistan delegation was headed by Matloubkhon Davlatov, Head of President’s Executive Office, who is ADB Governor for Tajikistan, and also comprised Sharif Rahimzoda, Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT).

Key issues at this year’s meeting included soaring food and fuel prices, infrastructure and connectivity, and climate change as well as how Asia and the Pacific can ensure a prosperous future in coming decades.

The Board of Governors is ADB’s highest policy-making body and the annual meetings are statutory occasions at which Governors can provide guidance on ADB’s administrative, financial, and operational priorities.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2010, ADB approvals, including co-financing, totaled $17.51 billion. In addition, ADB''s ongoing Trade Finance Program supported $2.8 billion in trade.