DUSHANBE, December 19, Asia-Plus — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been ranked second in its sector among 30 influential organizations assessed in the 2007 Global Accountability report, published by One World Trust, a non-government organization (NGO) based in the United Kingdom.
Ms. Tatiana Yefstifeyeva, external relations coordinator, the ADB resident Mission Tajikistan, noted that the Global Accountability Report, initiated in 2006, presents One World Trust’s assessment of the accountability of the world”s most powerful organizations from the intergovernmental, corporate and non-governmental sectors to the people they affect. The Report analyzes organizations according to four dimensions of accountability defined by the Global Accountability Framework: transparency, participation, evaluation, and complaint and response mechanisms.
“ADB is pleased to be included in this year’s Global Accountability Report and most encouraged by the high ranking it has received,” said ADB Vice-President C. Lawrence Greenwood, Jr. “The Report is a useful tool that can help ADB measure its effectiveness as a development institution in promoting transparency and other dimensions of accountability through its policies and its work. However, while the report shows our efforts have been successful, we can’t become complacent, and we will continue to improve. For ADB to succeed in its work to fight poverty in the Asia and Pacific region, where two-thirds of the world’s poor still live, we must be responsive and accountable to the public we serve.”
One World Trust rated ADB as one of three top performers among all 30 assessed organizations, achieving high scores in all four dimensions of accountability including 100 per cent in transparency, and 81 per cent in overall accountability.
Under the Bank’s Public Communications Policy, ADB is committed to making information proactively available and responding to information requests in a timely manner so that stakeholders may learn about and contribute to ADB-supported development activities.
The Report also highlighted ADB’s handbook on stakeholder engagement.
“The Guide provides tools to make the consultation and other forms of participation more accessible and effective for staff and helps them fulfill obligations and strategic objectives to consult with civil society and other stakeholders,” the Report said.
One World Trust promotes education and research into the changes required within global organizations to eradicate poverty, injustice and war. It conducts research on practical ways to make global organizations more responsive to the people they affect.
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998 and since that time, the country has received $352.50 million in loans, $33.0 million in technical assistance, and $39.50 million in grants.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2006, it approved loans and grants for projects totaling $8.5 billion, and technical assistance amounting to almost $242 million.
