, May 4 -- The impact of the conflict in the Middle East is expected to dominate discussions this week at the Asian Development Bank's Annual Meeting in the ancient southern Uzbekistan city of Samarkand.

ADB President, Masato Kanda told journalists Sunday that he's received 'so many requests' for assistance and intervention from developing member countries, particularly from the Pacific.

"This morning (Sunday) I met with Pacific Developing Member Countries Governors who have raised their concerns with me, said President Kanda in response to PACNEWS.

"The impact on small island countries in the Pacific is particularly significant. For example, Tonga spends over 10 percent of GDP on fossil fuel imports.

"Our ADB's most recent economic o...