嘉宾寄语

Welcome Message from the Ministry of Finance,People’s Republic of China

The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China gladly welcomes delegates from 40 countries and 20international development organizations to the inaugural 2016Asian Evaluation Week.

We are happy that countries in the Asia-Pacific Region—joined by our friends from Africa,Europe,Latin America,and North America—spearhead this initiative to convene an Asian Evaluation Week.With the help of the Asian Development Bank and our very own Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Institute (AFDI),this learning event will help synthesize global learnings on evaluation and demonstrate how they can best inform development policies.

The People’s Republic of China in more recent years has emphasized performance evaluation as a prerequisite for accountability and results;and launched new evaluation campaigns requiring public projects be evaluated.Similar undertakings I am sure are happening in other countries,given global challenges,competing demands for resources,and the need for effective use of public funds.Evidence-based policy making is thus important.

We wish everyone a happy stay in Xi’an,an ancient capital in Chinese history.

Our best wishes for a successful Asian Evaluation Week.

　　Welcome Message from Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Institute

　　It is with great pleasure that the Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Institute—a public institution directly affiliated with the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Finance—co-hosts the inaugural 2016Asian Evaluation Week with the Asian Development Bank.

　　Over the years,AFDI has engaged in knowledge sharing and capacity development for Chinese government officials as well as government officials in other countries.In recognition of our enhanced ability,we were elevated from a Center to an Institute authorized to issue degrees.In delivering our mandate,we regularly collaborate with development partners on various programs to develop evaluation capacity across the region and also interregionally as we also engage our friends from Africa and Latin America.The Institute sees this strengthening of capacity in monitoring and evaluation as an integral part of overall results based public sector management.

　　The Asian Evaluation Week is an opportunity to share and match Chinese practices on evaluation with Asian and international concepts.Countries in the region could use this opportunity to enhance evaluation knowledge and its use.

　　AFDI hopes to see the Asian Evaluation Week progress into a regular,and joint undertaking by countries and development partners.

　　With warmest regards.

　　Welcome Message from the Asian Development Bank

　　The Independent Evaluation Department (IED)of the Asian Development Bank extends its gratitude to member countries,development partners,and in particular the Asia Pacific Finance and Development Institute of the People’s Republic of China for this opportunity to collaborate on the inaugural Asian Evaluation Week.

　　The Asia-Pacific region has been the engine of world growth in recent years and that may likely continue.Nevertheless the challenges of,sustainable and inclusive growth,poverty reduction,inequality,vulnerability to climate change,aging,and urbanization,are still to be overcome.The Sustainable Development Goals incorporate these new development challenges as well as recognizing the important role of evaluation in supporting the better design,implementation,monitoring,and assessment of development initiatives.

　　The AEW provides an invaluable opportunity for evaluation practitioners and experts to exchange the latest ideas and thoughts on how evaluation can promote better public policy.As the key knowledge sharing event on evaluation,it serves to promote partnerships among evaluation practitioners,evaluation experts,and development partners.We are confident that this event will provide encouragement to focus on results and evidence to better inform development.We thank everyone for their contribution,and hope that all participants will make the most of what the AEW has to offer.

　　With best wishes.