Some 300 representatives from countries, civil societies, academia, and multilateral and bilateral development agencies will participate in the conference themed "The Impact of the Global Economic Slowdown on Poverty and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.”

The event will focus on how policy makers can use the crisis as an opportunity to reform labour and social market systems to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in the region.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is expected to deliver a keynote speech at the gathering.

ADB estimates that had Asia's high growth not stalled over the past year, there would be 60 million fewer people living below the US$1.25 a day poverty line, and 100 million fewer "near-poor" (those vulnerable to poverty) living below the US$2 a day line.