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| Entry into force: | 22 August 1966, in accordance with article 65. |
| Registration: | 22 August 1966, No. 8303. |
| STATUS: | Signatories: 30. Parties: 46. 1,2 |
| Text: | United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 571, p. 123 (including the procès-verbal of rectification established on 2 November 1967), and vol. 608, p. 380 (procès-verbal of rectification). |
Note: The Agreement was adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Asian Development Bank, which had been convened pursuant to resolution 62 (XXI)3 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, and which met at Manila from 2 to 4 December 1965.
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| Participant1,2 | Signature | Ratification, Acceptance (A), Participation under articles 3 (2) and (3) (P) |
| Afghanistan | 4 Dec 1965 | 22 Aug 1966 |
| Australia | 4 Dec 1965 | 19 Dec 1966 |
| Austria | 31 Jan 1966 | 29 Sep 1966 |
| Bangladesh4 | 14 Mar 1973 P | |
| Belgium | 31 Jan 1966 | 16 Aug 1966 |
| Bhutan4 | 15 Apr 1982 P | |
| Cambodia | 4 Dec 1965 | 30 Sep 1966 |
| Canada | 4 Dec 1965 | 22 Aug 1966 |
| China4,5 | 10 Mar 1986 P | |
| Cook Islands1 | 20 Apr 1976 P | |
| Denmark | 28 Jan 1966 | 16 Aug 1966 |
| Fiji1 | 2 Apr 1970 P | |
| Finland | 28 Jan 1966 | 22 Aug 1966 |
| France4 | 27 Jul 1970 P | |
| Germany6 | 4 Dec 1965 | 30 Aug 1966 |
| India | 4 Dec 1965 | 20 Jul 1966 |
| Indonesia4 | 24 Nov 1966 P | |
| Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 4 Dec 1965 | |
| Italy | 31 Jan 1966 | 30 Sep 1966 |
| Japan | 4 Dec 1965 | 16 Aug 1966 |
| Kiribati1 | 28 May 1974 P | |
| Lao People's Democratic Republic | 4 Dec 1965 | 30 Aug 1966 |
| Malaysia | 4 Dec 1965 | 16 Aug 1966 |
| Maldives4 | 14 Feb 1978 P | |
| Myanmar4 | 26 Apr 1973 P | |
| Nepal | 4 Dec 1965 | 21 Jun 1966 A |
| Netherlands7 | 4 Dec 1965 | 29 Aug 1966 |
| New Zealand8 | 4 Dec 1965 | 29 Sep 1966 |
| Norway | 28 Jan 1966 | 14 Jul 1966 |
| Pakistan | 4 Dec 1965 | 12 May 1966 |
| Papua New Guinea1 | 8 Apr 1971 P | |
| Philippines | 4 Dec 1965 | 5 Jul 1966 |
| Republic of Korea | 4 Dec 1965 | 16 Aug 1966 |
| Samoa | 4 Dec 1965 | 23 Jun 1966 |
| Singapore | 28 Jan 1966 | 21 Sep 1966 |
| Solomon Islands1 | 30 Apr 1973 P | |
| Spain4 | 14 Feb 1986 P | |
| Sri Lanka | 4 Dec 1965 | 29 Sep 1966 |
| Sweden | 31 Jan 1966 | 29 Sep 1966 |
| Switzerland4 | 31 Dec 1967 P | |
| Thailand | 4 Dec 1965 | 16 Aug 1966 |
| Tonga4 | 29 Mar 1972 P | |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland5 | 4 Dec 1965 | 26 Sep 1966 |
| United States of America | 4 Dec 1965 | 16 Aug 1966 A |
| Uzbekistan | 31 Aug 1995 P | |
| Vanuatu | 15 Apr 1982 P | |
| Viet Nam9 | 28 Jan 1966 | 22 Sep 1966 |
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"The Australian Government further declares in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 56 of the said Agreement that it retains the right to levy taxation in respect of salary and emoluments paid by the Bank for services rendered in Australia to a Director, alternate, officer or employee of the Bank, including an expert performing a mission for the Bank, being a resident of Australia within the meaning of the Australian legislation relating to income tax unless the person is not a citizen of Australia and came to Australia solely for the purpose of performing duties of the office in the Bank held by him.
[In connection with the above declaration the Government of Australia further specified that "although paragraph 2 of article 56 refers to 'citizens or nationals'and not to residents, it is understood that the persons intended to be covered by the word `resident' in the declaration include, in addition to citizens, per sons already living in Australia at the time of recruitment as po- tential Australian citizens who, in fact, under Australian law have duties of a similar character to citizens. They may, therefore, be considered as within the category of persons envisaged by the words `citizens or nationals'.]
"The Australian Government is unable to accord to the Bank, in respect of any mailbags which the Bank might wish to despatch through postal channels in Australia, the reduced rates which the Australian Government accords, on the basis of reciprocity, to certain other Governments in respect of mailbags despatched through postal channels by their diplomatic missions in Australia.
"The Australian Government is, insofar as the article applies to priorities, rates and taxes on telecommunications, unable fully to comply with article 54 of the Agreement which requires that the Bank in respect of its official communications shall be accorded by each member treatment not less favourable than that accorded to the official communications of any other member, until such time as all other Governments have decided to co-operate in granting this treatment to international organiz- ations. This reservation shall not affect the right of the Bank to lodge press telegrams at prescribed press rates to the press and radio in Australia.
"The Australian Government understands that nothing in the said Agreement affects the application of any Australian law relating to quarantine."
"Canada retains for itself and its political subdivisions the right to tax Canadian citizens resident or ordinarily resident in Canada."
"According to article 14, paragraph ix, in the Agreement establishing the Asian Development Bank, `the proceeds of any loan, investment or other financing undertaken in the ordinary operations of the Bank or with Special Funds established by the Bank pursuant to paragraph 1 (i) of article 19, shall be used only for procurement in member countries of goods and services produced in member countries. . .'.
"The declared shipping policy of the Danish Government is based on the principle of free circulation of shipping in interna-tional trade in free and fair competition. In accordance with this policy transactions and transfers in connexion with maritime transport should not be hampered by provisions giving preferential treatment to one country or a group of countries, the aim always being that normal commercial consideration should determine the method and flag of shipment. The Government of Denmark trusts that article 14, paragraph ix, will not be applied contrary to this principle."
Pursuant to article 56 (2) of the said Agreement, the French Government retains for itself the right to levy taxes, as provided by French law, on salaries and emoluments paid by the Bank to French nationals.
"1. The Federal Republic of Germany makes use of the reservation provided for in article 56, paragraph 2, of the Agreement establishing the Asian Development Bank and retains for itself and its political subdivisions the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Asian Development Bank to Germans within the meaning of Article 116 of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany who have their domicile or ordinary residence in the area of application of the said Basic Law, including Land Berlin;
"2. The Agreement establishing the Asian Development Bank shall also apply to Land Berlin as from the day on which the Convention will enter into force for the Federal Republic of Germany."
"The Government of India declares that India retains for herself and her political subdivision the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Asian Development Bank to citizens or nationals of India."
"The Italian Government, pursuant to article 56, paragraph 2, of the Agreement, retains for itself and its political subdivisions the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Bank to Italian citizens employed in offices of the Bank that might be set up in Italy or performing any activities in Italy on behalf of the Bank.
"On the occasion of the deposit of the instrument of ratifica- tion, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, on the instructions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy, has made the following observations:
"The Italian Government considers that paragraph 1 of article 56 is to be construed in the light of current practice concerning exemption of international organizations from taxation. According to such practice, relief from taxation is granted to international organizations only in respect of articles acquired in pursuance of the official activities of an organization and, in the case of internal indirect taxes, only for substantial purchases where it is reasonably practicable to allow such relief.
"The Italian Government considers that the provision of article 50, paragraph 1, concerning immunity from jurisdiction is to be construed within the limits in which such immunity is provided by international law.
"[The Permanent Representative also has] the honour to inform your Excellency that it is the intention of the Italian Government to seek from the Asian Development Bank an understanding to the effect that the special procedure to be provided for pursuant to paragraph 2 of article 50 of the by-laws and regulations of the Bank or in contracts entered into with the Bank should not be of prejudice to the jurisdiction of Italian Courts with respect to any claims put forward by private parties."
"Japan retains for itself and its political subdivisions the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Bank to its nationals."
"The Government of Malaysia declares that it retains for itself the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid."
This ratification is subject to the reservation provided for in article 56, paragraph 2, of the Convention.
"According to article 14, paragraph ix, in the Agreement establishing the Asian Development Bank, 'the proceeds of any loan, investment or other financing undertaken in the ordinary operations of the Bank or with Special Funds established by the Bank pursuant to paragraph 1 (i) of article 19, shall be used only for procurement in member countries of goods and services produced in member countries . . .'.
"The declared shipping policy of the Norwegian Government is based on the principle of free circulation of shipping in international trade in free and fair competition. In accordance with this policy transactions and transfers in connection with maritime transport should not be hampered by provisions giving preferential treatment to one country or a group of countries, the aim always being that normal commercial consideration should determine the method and flag of shipment. The Government of Norway trusts that article 14, paragraph ix, will not be applied contrary to this principle."
"The Government of the Philippines declares that it retains for itself and its political subdivisions the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Bank to citizens or nationals of the Philippines."
"The Republic of Korea retains for itself and its political subdivisions the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Bank to its nationals."
"Singapore retains for itself the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Asian Development Bank to citizens and nationals of Singapore."
"In accordance with paragraph 2 of article 56 of the Asian Development Bank Agreement, the Government of Ceylon retains for itself and its political subdivision the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Bank to citizens or nationals of Ceylon resident or ordinarily resident in Ceylon."
"According to the main rule of article 14, paragraph ix, in the Agreement establishing the Asian Development Bank, the proceeds of any loan, investment or other financing undertaken by the Bank shall be used only for procurement in member countries of goods.
"The shipping policy of the Swedish Government is based on the principle of free circulation of shipping in international trade in free and fair competition. The Swedish Government trusts that article 14, paragraph ix, will not be applied contrary to this principle. Similarly, it is part of the assistance policy of the Swedish Government that multilateral development assistance should be based on the principle of free international competitive bidding. The Swedish Government expresses the hope that it will be possible to reach agreement on such modification of article 14, paragraph ix, that it does not conflict with this principle."
"In accordance with paragraph 2 of article 56, the Government of the United Kingdom declare that they retain the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Asian Development Bank to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies."
In a letter transmitting the instrument of ratification, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, has made the following observations:
"Article 54 of the Agreement has the effect of affording Government telecommunication privileges to the Asian Development Bank. The list of persons and authorities entitled to such privileges in Annex 3 to the International Telecommunications Convention signed at Geneva on the 21st of December, 1959, does not include international organizations other than the United Nations. There is thus a clear conflict between article 54 and the Telecommunications Convention, to which the United Kingdom (and no doubt other members of the Asian Development Bank) is a party. The United Kingdom wishes to propose that this conflict be considered at an early meeting of the Board of Governors.
"Paragraph 1 of article 56 of the Agreement might perhaps be construed as allowing the Asian Development Bank complete exemption from all customs duties and taxes on goods without any qualification. It is current practice to accord relief from taxation on goods to international organizations only in respect of articles acquired in pursuance of the official activities of an organization, and, in the case of internal indirect taxes, only for substantial purchases where it is reasonably practicable to allow such relief. The Government of the United Kingdom consider that paragraph 1 of article 56 is to be construed in the light of current practice.
"[The Permanent Representative also has] the honour to inform you that it is the intention of the Government of the United Kingdom to seek from the Asian Development Bank:
"(a) An understanding that it will insure any motor vehicle belonging to, or operated on behalf of, the Bank against third party claims for damage arising from an accident caused by such a vehicle in the United Kingdom and that the immunity of the Bank from legal process under paragraph 1 of article 50 will not be asserted in the case of any civil action in the United Kingdom by a third party for damage arising from an accident caused by such a vehicle;
"(b) An understanding that no immunity under article 55 will be asserted in respect of any motor traffic offence committed by a member of the personnel of the Bank or in respect of damage caused by a motor vehicle belonging to, or driven by, him."
"The United States of America retains for itself and for all political subdivisions of the United States of America the right to tax salaries and emoluments paid by the Asian Development Bank to any citizen or national of the United States of America."
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1. Pursuant to the procedure provided for in article 3 (3) of the Agreement, various non-autonomous territories became members of the Bank, as indicated hereinafter:
| Territory: | Participant presenting the application for admission: | Date of the resolution by the Council of Governors: | Date on which the resolution took effect: |
| Hong Kong5 | United Kingdom | 26 Mar 1969 | 27 Mar 1969 |
| Fiji* | United Kingdom | 24 Mar 1970 | 2 Apr 1970 |
| Papua New Guinea* | Australia | 12 Mar 1971 | 8 Apr 1971 |
| British Solomon Islands Protectorate* | United Kingdom | 12 Apr 1973 | 30 Apr 1973 |
| Gilbert* and Ellice Islands** | United Kingdom | 27 Apr 1974 | 28 May 1974 |
| Cook Islands | New Zealand | 8 Apr 1976 | 20 Apr 1976 |
| * These territories have since become independent and have informed the Bank that "they had assumed full responsibility for the conduct of their international relations and that they assumed full responsibility for all obligations that may be incurred by them by reason of admission to membership in the Bank". | |||
| ** On 1 October 1975, the Ellice Islands (which subsequently became the State of "Tuvalu") separated from the Gilbert Islands which alone remained a member of the Bank and subsequently, on 12 July 1979, became the independent State of "Kiribati". | |||
2. The Republic of China signed and ratified the Agreement on 4 December 1965 and 22 September 1966, respectively. Upon the admission of the People's Republic of China on 10 March 1986, the Republic of China, representing the Island of Taiwan, was re-designated as "Taipei, China" and continues its membership under that designation.
3. Official Records of Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, 39th Session, Supplement No. 2 (E/4005-E/CN.11/705), p. 167.
4. Article 3 (2) of the Agreement provides that countries eligible for membership under paragraph 1 of article 3 which do not become members in accordance with article 64 may be admitted, under such terms and conditions as the Bank may determine, to membership in the Bank upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Governors, representing not less than three-fourths of the total voting power of the members. Conditions include the acceptance of the Agreement through the deposit of an instrument of acceptance with the Bank. The date of participation corresponds to the fulfilment of all requirements.
5. The Secretary-General received communications regarding the status of Hong Kong from China and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (see note 2 under "China" and note 2 under "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume). Upon resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, China notified the Secretary-General that the Convention will also apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
6. See note 2 under "Germany" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume.
8. See note 1 under "New Zealand" regarding Tokelau in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume.
9. The formalities were effected by the Republic of South Viet-Nam. The Government of Viet-Nam assumed the responsibilities and obligations of South Viet-Nam in respect of the Bank following unification of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam and the Republic of South Viet-Nam.
10. In a notification received on 12 May 1976, the Government of Australia informed the Secretary-General of the withdrawal of the declaration made upon ratification under article 24 (2) (ii) of the said Agreement. For the text of the declaration so withdrawn, see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 572, p. 368.
11. On 22 April 2002, the Government of New Zealand notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw its declaration made upon ratification. The declaration read as follows:
"Pursuant to paragraph 2 (ii) of article 24 of the Agreement, the Government of New Zealand hereby declares that it desires the use of the portion of its subscription paid pursuant to paragraph 2 (b) of article 6 of the Agreement to be wholly restricted to payments for goods or services produced in its territory."