(Issued jointly by the Asian Development Bank and the Aga Khan Development Network)
Gouvieux, France, 30th January 2008 – His Highness the Aga Khan, the Spiritual Leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), today met with Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for discussions on joint collaboration between the ADB and AKDN. The meeting preceded the signing of an agreement aimed at expanding the partnership between the two institutions.
“A strengthened partnership between ADB and the Aga Khan Development Network provides an effective channel for supporting inclusive development in the region, especially for the benefit of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society,” said Mr. Kuroda.
The Aga Khan’s younger brother, Prince Amyn Aga Khan, who signed the agreement on the Aga Khan’s behalf, thanked the ADB for its long-standing cooperation and lauded the Bank’s efforts to adopt a new long-term strategy this year in the face of growing challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Prince Amyn Aga Khan expressed confidence that the agreement will enable an intensification of the collaboration between the two institutions, thereby helping to transform the lives of many.
He added that the agreement is “an expression of our shared commitment to ensure that marginalized and impoverished areas of South and Central Asia receive the attention and support needed to alleviate poverty and to create stability in cross border areas, by connecting isolated communities, developing markets, incomes, and employment, and fostering an enabling environment.”
The joint ADB/AKDN agreement stresses the need “to find ways to undertake investments to connect the poor to the opportunities of growth and to connect services to the poor emanating from national and regional growth benefits.”
The ADB and the AKDN collaborate across multiple sectors in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, and Pakistan. The agreement signed today reinforces the need for cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, economic development, and human capacity building. It expresses the joint commitment of both institutions to local and regional ownership of development policies and programmes, long-term approaches to sustainable development, and investments which connect the poor to growth opportunities. Amongst the new areas for potential partnership are investments in higher education, including with the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia.
Photographs link to AKDN, credit: AKDN/Gary Otte
 His Highness the Aga Khan receiving Mr Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank, in Gouvieux, France. |
 The Aga Khan and Mr Kuroda in discussions on joint collaboration between the Asian Development Bank and the Aga Khan Development Network. |
 Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Mr Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank, signing an agreement to strengthen the partnership between ADB and AKDN, in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan. |
 Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Prince Amyn Aga Khan, younger brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, after the signing of an agreement to strengthen the partnership between the ADB and the Aga Khan Development Network. |
Ismailimail 
After an absence of almost 2 months our beloved Mawla is back in the news and it was touching to see these pictures. His love for us sustains us and we have to let him know we deeply missed him, and sincerely hope and pray for his good health and long life.
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