ADB established through Strategy 2020 three strategic agendas to guide its work up to 2020—inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Water is common to each of these and is in fact central to their attainment. The Strategy refocuses ADB’s...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been one of the few active partners for microfinance development in the Philippines. It has contributed to the growth of formal microfinance activities, including expanding the outreach of diversified formal financial services to poor clients at the most...

This publication describes further progress of ongoing and recently undertaken initiatives for the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). It highlights the issues and many of the encouraging outcomes resulting from earlier efforts. It also explores issues expected to emerge in the...

This publication examines the problems and issues of urban transport in relation to climate change in the People’s Republic of China. It reviews international and local best practices for addressing such challenges. It also identifies policies, strategies, and measures to reduce CO2 emissions...

This publication reviews recent developments in East Asian local currency bond markets along with the outlook, risks, and policy options. It covers the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus the People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; and the Republic of Korea. It...

This report aims to demonstrate how a rapid climate change impact assessment can be used to identify the possible impacts of climate change on a thermal power investment project. For this demonstration, the O MON IV Combined Cycle Power Station Project in Southern Viet Nam is used for...

Private higher education (HE) growth in Asia has been much more rapid than in other parts of the world. This has led to a reduction in the burden on governments to finance HE with public funds; and diversification of the mission, scope, and role of private HE institutions in offering an...

This report provides a longitudinal study of the Fiji economy covering more than 2 decades of growth and development. It presents an economic update and outlook for the Fiji economy and assesses the key drivers of performance across key economic sectors. The report identifies potential reform...

The Government of Bangladesh has made it a priority to expand access by the poor to maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) services. Central to its strategy is the provision of healthcare services at free or nearly free prices through Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW)...