The 57th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia in May 2024, marking the first time Georgia has hosted the ADB's Annual Meeting.
The meeting will provide a platform to discuss development issues and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, and it will be an opportunity to showcase Georgia's cultural heritage and potential.
The ADB plans to support Georgia's sustainable growth by leveraging its geopolitical location, addressing climate change challenges, and exploring the country's potential in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and regional trade.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has decided to hold its 57th Annual Meeting in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, from May 2 to 5, 2024. This will be the first time the ADB Annual Meeting has been held in Georgia.
The ADB Annual Meeting is a forum for discussing development issues and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, with thousands of participants including finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, private sector representatives, representatives from international organizations and civil society, youth, academics, and journalists.
ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa stated, "Georgia is a vibrant trade hub in Central Asia and the Caucasus region, and it serves as an important bridge connecting Asia and Europe." He added that "the 2024 Annual Meeting will be a significant opportunity to showcase Georgia's cultural heritage and potential."
Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia, also said, "The slogan we have chosen for the 57th Annual Meeting, 'Bridging the Future,' reflects the spirit of cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region and the world to overcome crises and drive reforms toward a brighter future."
The theme of last year's 56th Annual Meeting was 'Rebounding Asia: Recover, Reconnect, Reform'.
ADB has been collaborating with Georgia since 2007, becoming a key multilateral development partner for the country. To date, ADB has provided US$3.9 billion in 82 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance to Georgia. It currently manages a loan portfolio of US$1.75 billion across 17 ongoing operations.
ADB will continue to support Georgia in addressing its geopolitical situation and growth uncertainties arising from climate change, and it will support the expansion of the private sector's role. To achieve this, ADB plans to provide climate change adaptation financing for water resources management and irrigation facilities, urban transport, and infrastructure, and promote green energy exports.
Furthermore, ADB will explore Georgia's potential in areas such as agriculture, tourism, and regional trade, and address unemployment and skills gaps. Alongside reforms of state-owned enterprises, ADB will promote gender equality, environmentally sustainable development, and innovation.
ADB seeks to eliminate extreme poverty and foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth in the Asia and Pacific region. Since its establishment, ADB has been operating in 68 member countries. 49 developing member countries in the Asia and Pacific region are regional members.