Shanghai Government is preparing to host the African Development Bank's annual meeting in the city on May 16 and 17.

The local session is the first time that the annual meeting of the bank's board of governors will be held in Asia and only the second time the meeting has been scheduled outside Africa.

The theme of this year's session is "Africa and Asia - Partners in Development."

Arranging hotels, hospitals for any emergencies and tourism activities, such as a visit to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Yuyuan Garden, are all part of the preparation work. The city wants those attending the event to get a broad picture of development in Shanghai and China.

More than 40 entities in Shanghai will be involved in arrangements for the meeting.

Xiang Junbo, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, said hosting the conference will help boost Shanghai's position as a global financial center.

This year's session will mark the 42nd annual meeting of the African Development Bank, which was set up in November 1964. About 1,500 people are scheduled to attend. The bank has 77 members: 53 from Africa and 24 from other parts of the world, including China, Germany, Japan and France. Its goal is to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living in Africa.

(Shanghai Daily April 30, 2007)