The Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness Trust Fund, to be administered by ADB, will take contributions from bilateral, multilateral and individual sources, including corporations and foundations. The fund will provide assistance for representatives from developing countries who will attend the forum in Busan, Republic of Korea in November this year.

“The fund will contribute towards ADB efforts to support developing countries to take ownership of the aid effectiveness agenda. It reflects ADB’s continuing strong commitment to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness forged back in 2005,” said Kazu Sakai, Director General of ADB’s Strategy and Policy Department.

The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness is an international agreement among donor countries to align and rationalize aid activities to avoid resource duplication and improve development outcomes. ADB played a key role in the forum that drew up the Paris Declaration, as well as the follow-up High Level Forum 3 held in Accra, Ghana in 2008.

ADB is also actively involved in the fourth forum in Busan, which will review whether earlier commitments and targets have been reached, and what steps are needed to ensure aid is having desired development results.

Up to 2,000 participants from over 150 countries are expected in Busan, including ministers, heads of bilateral and multilateral institutions, developing country governments, parliaments, civil society organizations, foundations, the private sector and academia.

Contributions to the fund will be on an untied grant basis, with money pooled together in one account. The fund will be held and invested at the discretion of ADB and will terminate once the bulk of money has been disbursed.

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, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.