ADB President Takehiko Nakao registers at the Pacifico Yokohama. Over 5,000 delegates are expected to attend the meeting from 4 to 7 May.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (3 May 2017) — Finance and development ministers, central bank governors, other senior government officials, business executives, journalists, academics, and representatives from civil society, development organizations, and youth from the Asia and Pacific region started arriving today at Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan for the 50th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Governors. Over 5,000 delegates, including from North America and Europe, are expected to attend the meeting from 4 to 7 May.

Operating under the theme of “Building Together the Prosperity of Asia”, this year’s Annual Meeting will focus on the region's growing need for infrastructure as a critical sector towards achieving sustainable and inclusive development. Discussions on how to address urban challenges and strive for clean and climate-resilient development will be held.

The flagship Governors’ Seminar on 5 May will discuss reforms in trade, investment, and finance, as well as lessons learned from the past 50 years of development in the region. A special book launch, as part of ADB’s 50th anniversary celebrations, will be held on 4 May to discuss and share ADB’s role and future direction.

Key sessions will discuss salient issues central to development including rising inequality, macroeconomic stability, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and financial inclusion. The Annual Meeting will highlight the role of the private sector in supporting development programs in Asia and the Pacific through seminars focused on public-private partnerships and cofinancing.

Host country, Japan, will hold several events including discussions on lessons from the Asian financial crisis 20 years later, and a youth event focused on reducing poverty and fostering inclusive economic growth.

Flagship sessions and the ADB President’s press conferences will be livestreamed. Delegates can follow Annual Meeting events through social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #ADBYokohama and #ADB50. Participants may find the latest Annual Meeting updates by downloading the free Event App in iOS and Android using the event code MyADB2017 and the password from their registration confirmation email. Guidelines for journalists are available in English and Japanese.

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, ADB is celebrating 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2016, ADB assistance totaled $31.7 billion, including $14 billion in cofinancing.