Good Governance: Role of the ADB

Abstract
There is strong empirical evidence to show that good governance can lead to faster economic growth for countries. Indeed, governance constraints in poor countries curtail a positive economic outlook by, among others, scaring away investment and limiting trade. The Asian Development Bank has prioritized good governance as a key driver of change in its vision of an Asia Pacific region free of poverty. Gambhir Bhatta (Technical Advisor for Governance at ADB) will talk about the work that the Bank is doing on supporting governance reforms in its developing member countries. He will also discuss how governance issues are set to evolve in the coming years inasmuch as they are played out at the local level.

About the Speaker:

Gambhir Bhatta currently serves as Technical Advisor (Governance) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Since he joined ADB in July 2005, he has designed development projects and programs of over $400 million in the broad areas of governance, public management, and public resource management in South Asia. His short-term and long-term professional engagements have been in more than 10 countries across 4 continents. Prior to joining ADB, Gambhir was a Senior Advisor in the New Zealand public service. He has been involved in academic and executive training work in institutions such as the National University of Singapore, Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore Civil Service College, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University-Adelaide, Duquesne University, and Victoria University of Wellington, among others. He has also consulted for the United Nations in several countries. Gambhir is the author of four books, including the International Dictionary of Public Management and Governance (M. E. Sharpe, New York, 2006). He has a PhD in Public and International Affairs along with advanced certificates in Applied Policy Analysis, Asian Studies, and Urban and Regional Development from the University of Pittsburgh.