South Asian policy makers are attending a seminar today in Indian capital New Delhi on poor governance and lack of accountability and transparency, which are blamed for the region's poverty, reports UNB.

World Bank's Economic Development Institute (EDI) is organising the regional seminar May 5-8.

Parliamentarians, senior government officials, business and opinion leaders from across South Asia will participate in the seminar, said a World Bank press release.

Lack of accountability and transparency undermines economic performance in general and in South Asia, promoting good governance has emerged as a major part of the Bank's assistance programme.

A World Bank report, issued in the fall of 1997. "Helping Countries Combat Corruption: The Role of World Bank, identifies corruption as a fundamental impediment to long term economic growth and social development.

As the damaging effects of the poor governance transcend country borders, the international community, including the private sector and the civil society, stresses the need for a global anti-corruption strategy.

Participants of the seminar will discuss how their institutions can move together, individually or collectively, toward strengthened accountability be improved in a practical, feasible manner.

New concepts of accountability will be examined, examples of best practice from within and outside the region will be presented. and participants will be encouraged to consider how these new concepts can be applied in their national settings.