The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group holds it 2011 Annual Meetings in Lisbon, Portugal from 9-10 June 2011, with the participation of finance ministers, central bank governors and CEOs from the institution’s 77 member countries.

The meetings, on the theme “Towards an Agenda for Inclusive Growth in Africa,” will review the Bank’s 2010 operations and its 2012 development funding portfolio, as well as challenges facing the African region in key areas such as climate change, infrastructure, private sector and governance.

The AfDB is Africa’s premier development finance institution established in 1964 to mobilise resources for the economic and social development of its 53 regional member countries by focusing on reducing poverty and inequality, and promoting sustainable growth. It approved 3,526 loans and grants totaling USD 84 billion from 1967–2010 to these regional member countries.

Delegates representing other multilateral finance institutions, development agencies, private sector chief executives, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and the media will also attend the meetings.

The event marks the 46th and 37th meetings of AfDB and African Development Fund (ADF), Board of Governors, respectively. Key decisions about the Bank Group are made at these meetings.

From 6 June, there will be a series of high-level seminars and other side events on the continent’s economic, social and political concerns, all of which highlight the importance of shared growth in development.

These seminars include the following:

Financial presentation on AfDB operations and Africa’s economic performance.

High level seminars on; among others.