Donor Policies and Interests

Abstract

Underlying policy formulation in the ADB are the policies and interests of its member countries, in particular the donors. Based on the extent of their influence in the Bank and differences in their policy objectives, the Bank’s donors can be divided into three groups: Japan (12.5 per cent of votes and 41.8 per cent of financial contributions), the US (12.3 per cent of votes and 16.1 per cent of financial contributions), and the other donors (30.1 per cent of votes and 32.1 per cent of financial contributions), although the countries in the last group can be subdivided based on policy differences and, for example, their level of financial participation in the Bank. The objectives pursued by the donors in the ADB can also broadly be classified into three categories: political and strategic, economic and commercial, and developmental. Significant differences can be pointed out in the relative importance of these objectives to the different donors.