Senior government officials, business leaders, journalists, academics and representatives from civil society and development organisations are taking part in the conference at the Messe Frankfurt for the ADB’s 49th annual meeting of its board of governors.

More than 3,000 delegates were expected to attend the meeting, which started yesterday and ends on Thursday.

Under the theme “Cooperating for Sustainability”, this year’s meeting – being held in Frankfurt, the largest financial centre in continental Europe – will highlight the critical importance of sustainable, inclusive development and the need for closer Asian and European linkages to support it.

Germany is the largest European shareholder in the ADB with a stake of 4.3 per cent. It is taking an important step towards supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and redressing climate change.

By 2030, UN member countries around the world are expected to fulfil their obligations towards making this planet a more liveable place.

Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, ADB governor for Germany, said his country’s government would use the annual meeting to provide input for the bank to pursue sustainable policies and advocate for socially and environmentally sustainable development in Asia. The focuses of the meeting will be energy, energy efficiency and climate change; sustainable supply and production chains; vocational education; and sustainable urban development.

The German government wants to mobilise the private sector and the financial industry for the implementation of the global sustainability and climate goals in Asia.

The governors’ seminar on “Structural Reforms: Pathways to Sustained Growth” will examine the factors behind the global economic slowdown and the reforms needed to address constraints and put the world back on a path towards sustained and inclusive growth.

A seminar of ADB and the International Monetary Fund will look at rising financial links between Asia and Europe and how benefits can be expanded and risks mitigated to ensure any future financial shocks can be effectively absorbed.

Delegates will discuss other topics crucial to the issues of sustainability and inclusiveness, such as what is needed to achieve “green” cities, the finance and technology required to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, and actions necessary to produce high-quality jobs in developing Asia that can help address the region’s growing levels of inequality.

The meeting will also highlight the essential role the private sector increasingly plays in supporting low-income groups, with an awards ceremony to be held for ADB client companies that have developed innovative products and services that have benefited the poor.

Germany will showcase its own innovative approaches to sustainable living in a “City of Sustainability” exhibition with examples of creative cooperation used to resolve urban problems and make cities more green and liveable.

The ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia-Pacific region through inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic growth and regional integration.

Established in 1966, the ADB in December will mark 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.

Last year, ADB assistance totalled US$27.2 billion (Bt948 billion), including co-financing of $10.7 billion.