Over the last three decades, Asia and the Pacific region has experienced an unprecedented economic transformation and a significant reduction in poverty. From 1975 to 1995, poverty in East and South-East Asia was reduced by two thirds; in South Asia, where the economy grew more slowly and population growth had been more rapid, the incidence of poverty declined by one third. Despite this impressive achievement in poverty reduction, the Asia and the Pacific region still accounts for two thirds of the world's 1.2 billion poor. A sustainable reduction in poverty calls for the creation of a pro-poor policy environment, and allocation of a greater volume of resources targeted to the poor with greater effectiveness. This needs to be complemented by better partnership among government, civil society and other stakeholders so that poor are empowered to take responsibility for their own development.

The main objective of the Symposium will be to raise awareness among various stakeholders on the importance of rural poverty reduction in Asia and the Pacific. For this purpose, the highlights of IFAD's Assessment of Rural Poverty, and its Regional Strategy for Rural Poverty Reduction in Asia and the Pacific will be shared with major stakeholders from the Region and their feedback obtained. Symposium participants include senior policy makers from countries of East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific (China, Mongolia, DPR Korea, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea), IFAD-funded project staff, regional and international organizations, civil society, academia, IFAD staff and representatives of other donor agencies.