This annual report covers the DEC discussions based on evaluation studies conducted by the Independent Evaluation Department (IED) pertaining to ADB policies, strategies, and completed operations. It covers discussions from the meetings held from 1 January to 31 December 2021.
This annual report summarizes key points raised and discussed by the DEC based on its review of IED reports, the 2021 Annual Evaluation Review (AER), the 2020 DevelopmentEffectiveness Review (DEfR), and the 2020 Annual Portfolio Performance Report (APPR).

The project intended to (i) improve irrigation and drainage infrastructure on about 117,000 hectares (ha) of land; (ii) provide agricultural support for the improved area; and (iii) upgrade project management within State Office for Comprehensive Agriculture Development and participating provinces and counties.
This report validates the completion report's assessment of the project. IED overall assessment: Successful.

The policy based loan under a contingent disaster financing (CDF) would disburse in the event of a natural disaster to support post-disaster recovery. Phase 1 was designed to provide the government with rapid access to finance, contingent on a natural disaster. Phase 2 expanded the scope of CDF to include health-related emergencies, in addition to disasters triggered by natural hazards.
This report validates the completion report's assessment of the program. IED overall assessment: Successful.

 The evaluation analyzed the additionality of ADB’s nonsovereign operations (NSO) and reviewed ADB’s strategies, programs of assistance and their outcomes. The Independent Evaluation Department (IED) examined ADB's additionality in NSO covering the period 2008–2020. 

ADB should strengthen its approach to additionality in its private sector operations to ensure that it does not crowd out or displace private and commercial financing, says a report released by ADB’s Independent Evaluation Department.

The Independent Evaluation Department was requested by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Management to evaluate its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF) projects approved from 2009 (when the fund started) to 2021, to provide inputs to the Board to aid future fund replenishment decisions.

The Governance and Capacity Development in Public Sector Management Program sought to improve overall public sector capacity and governance framework, strengthen PFM, and undertake public administration reforms with the aim of achieving sustained and inclusive economic growth. Under subprogram 1, the government addressed the foundational reforms necessary to strengthen public sector management as a precursor to improving service delivery. Under subprogram 2, the government was expected to deepen the reforms by focusing on implementation and achieving tangible development targets.

The policy-based loan provided budgetary and technical assistance support to address key constraints within the health system and implement the reforms. Its expected impact was a universal health coverage achieved under the Health Sector Reform Strategy by 2025, where objectives for structural reforms were translated into policy actions in the program’s governance areas. The program’s expected outcome was an improved health service delivery particularly for the poor, women, and children.

The end goal of all evaluation is influence. Evaluation influence comes at various levels and in various types. The Independent Evaluation Department (IED) enhances the development effectiveness of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) future operations by systematically evaluating its projects, country programs, sector support, policies, strategies, and corporate and thematic priorities. The cornerstone of evaluation influence is the evaluation report, which must be high-quality, credible, timely, and relevant to user demands.

The spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) continues to impact the world including Asian Development Bank (ADB) member countries. Amid the pandemic, ADB continues to support its member countries in addressing the impact of COVID‐19. This year’s Annual Evaluation Review (AER) provides an update on the Independent Evaluation Department’s (IED) assessment of ADB’s development effectiveness based on findings and evidence from IED’s work.