This publication records the proceedings of the Second Regional Workshop on Strengthening Country Safeguard Systems: Towards Common Approaches for Better Results held at Asian Development Bank headquarters in Manila on 7–9 October 2014. The workshop had three objectives: (i) Provide an opportunity to reflect on achievements across the region and share innovations in safeguard policies and their implementation in the region and beyond; (ii) Improve understanding of client and partner priorities and needs to better target capacity development initiatives; and (iii) Promote dialogue and sharing of experiences among the participants and identify opportunities for South–South and triangular cooperation and knowledge sharing in environmental assessment, involuntary resettlement, and indigenous peoples' safeguards.

This publication records the proceedings of the Country Safeguard Systems (CSS) Regional Workshop on April 2012 at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters. Discussions focused on the evolution, current status, and future directions of CSS, and the CSS partnership between developing member countries (DMCs) and development partners. Participants from 15 DMCs and 10 multilateral and bilateral agencies discussed the significant convergence of CSS with international best practice achieved in the past 2 decades, particularly environmental assessment and involuntary resettlement practices, and remaining challenges, including filling gaps in legal frameworks, building implementation capacity, and ensuring stakeholder engagement. DMCs expressed their desire to further strengthen CSS through policy dialogue, technical assistance, and South–South cooperation. Representatives of ADB, the Australian Agency for International Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the World Bank confirmed their readiness to collaborate in providing assistance to advance CSS.

The Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) was established in 1988 to provide well-qualified citizens of developing member countries an opportunity to undertake postgraduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at 27 educational institutions in 10 countries in Asia and the Pacific. Between 1988 and 2012, Japan contributed around $135 million to the JSP. A total of 2,966 scholarships have been awarded to recipients from 35 member countries, 1,045 of whom are women. Of the total, 2,627 scholars have already completed their courses. An average of 150 scholarships are being awarded each year.

This situation analysis was undertaken to inform responses to several resolutions made at the 5th World Conservation Congress in 2012 about the plight of large vertebrates in West and Central Africa. It draws on a wide range of information to provide information on the status of these species, important sites, pressures, legislation, the effectiveness of protected areas, and both community-based incentives for conservation and institutional responses. The overriding conclusion is of substantial wildlife declines and inadequate responses to either long-standing pressures or rapidly escalating threats that have emerged in recent years.

This publication presents a snapshot of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) environmental strategies, programs, initiatives, partnerships, and a range of activities that demonstrate ADB's commitment to support environmentally sustainable growth in Asia and the Pacific---a strategic agenda of ADB's Strategy 2020. The report highlights innovations designed in selected ADB-supported projects with environmental sustainability as a theme that were approved in 2008–2010. It also discusses the emerging environmental challenges in the region, and previews ADB's strategies to strengthen its operational emphasis on the environment, including climate change, that would help realize green growth in Asia and the Pacific.