Australia Leads the Way with Contribution to ADB Institute

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (15 June 2010) - The Government of Australia is extending A$500,000 to the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) Special Fund, marking the first ADB member country to make a voluntary contribution to the fund after Japan.

ADBI is a key Asian think tank focused on identifying effective development strategies for Asia and the Pacific, and to provide support to member countries in managing development. It was set up in Tokyo in 1996 as a subsidiary of ADB, with initial and subsequent financing from the Government of Japan.

The costs for operating ADBI are met from the Special Fund which is administered by ADB in accordance with the ADBI Statute, established in 1996. The Special Fund is able to receive voluntary contributions from any ADB member country, as well as from intergovernmental organizations, non-government organizations and foundations.