Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda will travel to Vietnam from February 28 to March 2, as part of the final preparations for ADB's upcoming Annual Meeting, according to a news release.

The Manila-based financial said on February 25 that about 3,000 participants, including heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors and representatives from the private sector, academia, and media are expected to attend the 44th Annual Meeting of ADB's Board of Governors from May 3-6.

This is the first time the event is being hosted by Vietnam and will provide the country with an opportunity to showcase its rapid socio-economic development with the support of development partners including ADB, and its recent progression to Middle Income Country status.

As a member of the ADB-supported Greater Mekong Subregion programme, Viet Nam also works closely with neighboring countries to promote cross border cooperation.

During the annual meeting, participants will discuss pressing issues facing the region including policy challenges for food security, middle income countries, changing growth trends and capital flows to Asia, infrastructure development, environmentally sustainable development, and climate change. At one of the seminars, governors will examine what the region must do over the next 40 years to sustain the momentum of its remarkable growth in recent decades.

ADB's Annual Meetings provide an opportunity for participants to hold formal and informal consultations that can help shape economic, financial and social policies and programmes in Asia and the Pacific./.