Fiji, May 6 -- Australia has reminded the Asian Development Bank (ADB) if it wants to maintain its position as the multilateral partner of choice for the region, it must modernise its processes and practices, alongside moving staff closer to clients to remain relevant and effective.

Rachel Thompson, Australia's temporary governor while addressing the ADB's high level Governor's Session in Milan Monday made a special plea for Pacific Developing Member Countries (PDMCs) - calling on ADB to live up to its Charter's promise of special consideration for the bank's smallest and most vulnerable members.

"A differentiated approach to the bank's support for Pacific members is central to the purposes for which ADB was established, said Thompson....