OREANDA-NEWS. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with the National University of Management, is launching an essay competition for local university students, focusing on ADB’s assistance to date in promoting sustained and inclusive economic growth in Cambodia and ADB’s role in addressing critical development challenges.

The competition has been organized as part of ADB’s 50th anniversary celebrations to mark five decades of development partnership in Cambodia.

“The competition gives Cambodian youth the opportunity to research and share their insights on ADB’s role in Cambodia’s economic and social progress over the past 50 years,” said Samiuela Tukuafu, ADB Country Director for Cambodia. “We are also interested in fresh ideas of these young writers in terms of the future partnership between ADB and the Government of Cambodia.”

To take part in the competition, participants will submit an original essay of between 1,500 and 2,000 words in English. Authors of the top ten essays will receive awards at the 50th anniversary reception to be hosted by ADB later this year.

ADB is Cambodia’s largest multilateral development partner, supporting the Royal Government since 1966. As of 2015, Cambodia has received $2.65 billion in development assistance for sectors including transport, education and vocational training, agriculture, natural resources and rural development, water and sanitation, energy, finance, and private sector development. ADB’s current partnership strategy with Cambodia focuses on improving rural, urban and regional linkages, human and social development, and public sector management.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB in December 2016 will mark 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2015 alone, ADB assistance totaled $27.2 billion, including cofinancing of $10.7 billion.