2 May 2019

ADB meeting in Fiji a Pacific first

1:18 pm on 2 May 2019

About 3000 delegates are attending the 52nd annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank Board of Governors, which kicked off in Fiji yesterday.

It is the first time a Pacific nation has hosted the event.

A typical street scene in Nadi, Fiji

A typical street scene in Nadi, Fiji Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins

Finance ministers, central bank governors, government and private sector representatives from Asia, the Pacific and beyond will discuss priorities including climate change and ocean health.

The meeting provides a forum to discuss development issues facing Asia and the Pacific.

The bank and the Irish government have announced a new $US13.5-million dollar trust fund aimed at helping the Pacific with climate and disaster management.

Sustainable tourism development and new financial tools for infrastructure development are other key items underpinning this year's theme, "Prosperity Through Unity."

In 2018, the ADB made loans and grants amounting to $US21.6 billion.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs