The 40th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) curtained up on Friday morning in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto, where finance ministers of ADB member economies, senior government officials, economic and financial experts and representatives of international organizations will discuss a wide range of issues.

During the four-day meeting at the Kyoto International Conference Center, ADB's Board of Governors, the institution's highest policy-making body, will convene on Sunday and Monday to review the bank's past performance on administrative, financial and operational aspects and approve reform plans and make new strategies and policy guidance to better contribute to the region's growth in coming years.

Environmental issues are likely to be highlighted at this annual meeting, during which the ADB may try to promote efforts to craft a new global framework aimed at curbing global warming after the 1997 Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012, according to sources.

Other topics regarding ensuring sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, such as market challenges, economic integration, clean energy, private capital flows and poverty alleviation will also be discussed.

A series of official and sponsored seminars, forums and member economies' presentations will be held during the meeting.

On the sidelines of the annual event, finance ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN member states as well as China, Japan and South Korea (ASEAN-plus-3) will gather for their 10th meeting on Saturday afternoon to discuss ways to further advance financial cooperation.

Finance ministers from China, Japan and South Korea will hold their 7th meeting on Friday afternoon to confirm issues to be taken up at the ASEAN-plus-3 meeting and to exchange views on strengthening trilateral cooperation to deal with possible financial risks.

Source: Xinhua