A record 4,700 delegates attend ADB meeting

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 45th Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting drew 4,700 participants, hitting the highest number of attendees in bank’s history, a Philippine official said on Thursday.   “In terms of attendance, 4,700 delegates have been recorded–the biggest number of attendees–the bulk of which came from abroad,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told reporters on the sidelines of Thursday’s “Governors’ Seminar.” “I think the arrangement has been well, and receptions are well attended. The qualities of attendees are quite good. So, I think, it has been a very good conference so far,” Purisima claimed.   The forecast was that around 4,000 people from across the globe would be attending the four-day event, which started Tuesday.   At least 700 personnel assisted in the event including 150 ADB employees and 285 student volunteers from Manila-based universities, according to the bank.   Halfway through the conference, Purisima said the delegates provided “very positive feedbacks.”   In an interview with GMA News Online, ADB Secretary Richard Dawson said the participants were “impressed” by how the Philippines hosted the conference.   The Philippines, one of the founding members of the multilateral institution, last country hosted the ADB meeting was in 2003.   India will host the 2013 ADB meeting in New Delhi, and will be presented as the next member-country host during this Saturday 's closing program. —VS, GMA News