
Asia's Developing Future
Asia's Developing Future is a podcast by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), the think tank of the Asian Development Bank. It explores policy research and capacity building initiatives aimed at driving sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. The podcast features discussions on economic growth, infrastructure, climate change, and regional cooperation. It provides insights from experts and policymakers on challenges and opportunities in the region.
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Global solutions in a fragmented world: Christian Kastrop on multilateralism and middle powers
At the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, ADBI Dean Bambang Brodjonegoro speaks with Global Solutions Initiative President Christian Kastrop about the future of multilateralism, the growing influence of middle powers, and opportunities for cooperation on sustainable growth, and global governance in an increasingly fragmented world.
Script: https://adbi.me/4fSLiZf

Unlocking the potential of the blue economy in Asia and the Pacific
Jodie Kuntzsch, foundational CEO of Moananui, and managing director of Aleotion, and Michael Huang, senior research fellow at the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, discuss the opportunities for the blue economy in Asia and the Pacific.
Script: https://adbi.me/4nUSgiq

How demographics are redefining Asia’s future
From Japan’s aging lessons to unlocking the demographic dividend in South Asia, Rohini Somanathan, Professor and Head of the Economics Department at the Delhi School of Economics and Sagiri Kitao, Senior Research Economist at ADBI, discuss what the demographic trends shaping Asia means for growth, jobs, and policy choices.
Script: https://adbi.me/4sJcqfX

Designing industrial policy for gender equality
Industrial policy plays a central role in shaping how economies grow—but the sectors governments support, the firms they finance, and the skills they prioritize can either reinforce existing inequalities or help close them. So what would it take to design industrial policy that actively advances gender equality? Valeria Esquivel of the International Labour Organization and Jennifer Castañeda-Navar

Digital trade: Asia's next phase of economic integration
Asia’s economic rise has been built on trade, but with the global trading system undergoing structural transformation could digital trade define Asia and the Pacific’s next phase of growth and integration? ADBI Fellow Sayuri Shirai explores its potential impact.
Script: https://adbi.me/4tZQaR8

Shaping Asia’s future prosperity: Indermit Gill on Asia’s path to sustainable growth
What does it take for developing economies in Asia and the Pacific to grow, move beyond middle-income status and cope with today’s global challenges? In this episode, ADBI Dean Bambang Brodjonegoro and World Bank Group Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics Indermit Gill discuss how smart policies, stronger institutions, and regional integration can all support resilie

Governing in a changing world: Francis Fukuyama on training the leaders of tomorrow
What does it take to develop effective policymakers in today’s turbulent geopolitical climate? Professor Francis Fukuyama joined ADBI Dean Bambang Brodjonegoro to discuss the future of governance, why building policy expertise matters more than ever, and the challenges and opportunities for capacity development across Asia and the Pacific.
Script: adbi.me/4rDSH2f

How alternative dispute resolution can drive development in Asia
Court battles can drag on for years, but what if major cross-border disputes could be solved in just days? Nadja Alexander, Director of the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, and Rajesh Sharma, Director of RMIT Dispute Management Centre, explain how mediation and arbitration are helping Asia’s economies cut case backlogs, boost investor confidence, and build trust.
Script: ht

AI at work: hype, hope, and hard realities in Asia
How is AI reshaping the future of work across Asia and the Pacific? In this episode, journalist Michael Beltran and Professor Mohammad Jarrahi cut through the hype to explore automation, tacit knowledge, and co-learning between humans and machines. Discover what AI means for BPO workers, education, and the policies needed to protect vulnerable communities.
Script: https://adbi.me/46202Qo

The triple burden of malnutrition in modern Asia
Dr. K.E. Seetharam, Senior Consulting Specialist at the Asian Development Bank Institute, and Dr. Sakshi Pandey of the Capacity Building Commission, Government of India, explore Asia’s triple burden of malnutrition: urban obesity, rural undernutrition, and widespread micronutrient deficiencies. Drawing on case studies and insights from their recent book, they examine how urbanization, evolving foo

Why regional integration in Asia matters now more than ever
With global fragmentation on the rise, ADBI Dean Bambang Brodjonegoro and ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, Scott Morris explore how Asia and the Pacific can boost resilience and forge a bright future through cross-border integration.
Read the transcript: https://adbi.me/3GN3zIh

The costs of financial crime prevention in Asia and the Pacific
As scams and cybercrime soar in the digital age, financial crime has become a moving target. Shawn Hunter, research fellow at Griffith Asia Institute, and Louis de Koker, a professor of law at La Trobe University, explain how new technologies, outdated frameworks, and regulatory gaps affect everything from financial inclusion to cross-border cooperation in Asia and the Pacific.
Script: https://ad

Asia’s learning crisis: how teachers and technology are changing the game
In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Daniel Suryadarma and Takiko Igarashi from ADB Institute explore how Asia can tackle its growing education crisis where 70% of 10-year-olds in developing countries struggle with basic reading.
Script: https://adbi.me/3STBD7Y

Cementing sustainability in the construction industry
Governments are some of the biggest buyers of construction services, putting them in a powerful position to shape a more sustainable future. In this episode, Andrew Minson, Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director at the Global Cement and Concrete Association, and Jenny Yan Yee Chu, Procurement Specialist at the Asian Development Bank explore how sustainable public procurement can change ind

Growing a sustainable future for smallholder farmers
Globally, smallholder farmers account for over 80% of farms and are estimated to produce around one-third of the world's food, but with climate change, economic shocks and environmental degradation to contend with what does the future hold for the people who feed billions around the world? ADBI senior research fellow Dil Rahut and Imtiaz Farhan Bin Habib, CEO and co-founder of Agronochain, explore

Why InsurTech matters: innovation, inclusion and impact
If you don’t know what InsurTech is, you should. Listen to global insurance expert Susan Holliday explain how this dynamic area of FinTech is shaking up the industry, and how it can support sustainable development and address Asia and the Pacific’s protection gaps.

Navigating the future of smart ports
How can smart ports drive sustainability and development? ADB’s Yesim Elhan-Kayalar and maritime expert Eleanor Hadland explore how AI and other digital innovations are transforming ports, reducing emissions and can help countries in Asia and the Pacific achieve their sustainability goals.

Building risk resilience in Asia and the Pacific
Estimates suggest that only 15% of Asian assets have appropriate coverage for disaster risks. How can these “protection gaps” be filled? Yoshihiro Kawai, Chair of Global Asia Insurance Partnership and Tetsushi Sonobe, Dean of ADBI discuss the issue and how a new joint project aims to increase risk resilience.

The impact of the creative economy
The first World Conference on Creative Economy, held in Indonesia in 2018, paved the way by emphasizing the critical role of creativity in driving economic growth and fostering global collaboration. Join ADBI's James Correia and Sheena Leong explore the transformative power of the creative economy and its potential to shape a sustainable and inclusive future.

How to climate-proof health care
Climate change is likely to have catastrophic repercussions on human health, with health costs amounting to between $2 billion - to $4 billion a year. Estimates also suggest that the economic burden of climate change could rise to a staggering $54 trillion with just a 1.5°C rise. Join Nitya Mohan-Khemka, director of strategic initiatives with PATH as she unpacks the urgent actions and potential so

The power of water culture
Cutting-edge technology alone can’t solve the existing and emerging issues of water resources management. That’s why in this episode of Asia’s Developing Future we delve into the key role culture has in tackling water scarcity, promoting conservation and ensuring successful, sustainable water resources projects. Featuring insights from Yoonjin Kim, Director of Strategy and Development of the World

Reporting for a better world: Journalism’s role in sustainable development
Join independent science journalist Disha Shetty, recent winner of ADBI’s Developing Asia Journalism Awards, and Suling Lin, senior columnist from The Straits Times, as they discuss the challenges facing journalists reporting on development issues in an ever-changing news environment, and how collaboration with research organizations can amplify their impact.

Is working from home working in Asia?
Hybrid working is a win-win for employers and employees, says Professor Nicholas Bloom, but why hasn’t it taken off in many parts Asia and the Pacific? The economist from Stanford University shares his thoughts and latest research in a discussion with ADBI.

Empowering women through solar energy
From machine learning to Blockchain, clean tech organizations are exploring innovative ways to support the adoption of renewable energy sources while also addressing energy poverty.
In this episode, Onon Bayasgalan, Chief Sustainability Officer for URECA talks about their project in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, that is empowering women-led households by switching from coal to solar power and giving th

How to close the finance gap for women entrepreneurs in India
Women entrepreneurs make a significant contribution to the Indian economy. However, access to formal finance is a crucial barrier to the growth of women-owned businesses.
In this podcast, Renana Jhabvala, the President of SEWA, the Self-Employed Women’s Association, will explain the policy tool that the Indian government has been implementing to formalize women’s economic participation and her e

How to tackle energy poverty for a just transition in Central Asia
Almost two million households across Central Asia suffer from energy poverty according to the World Bank. The challenges are to maintain and provide infrastructure in rural parts of the region and explore new energy models for social inclusion and just transition.
In this podcast, ADBI Senior Research Fellow Dina Azhgaliyeva, Zhanna Kapsalyamova from Nazarbayev University, and Anna Arkhangelskaya

Demographic Transition and Fiscal Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific
By 2050, the global number of persons above 65 years old will double to over 1.5 billion, according to the United Nations, and Asia will continue to have the largest share of the world’s aged population.
In this podcast, Waseda University Associate Professor, Upalat Korwatanasakul provides an overview of demographic transition and its effects on fiscal balance in Asia. He also examines ways to en

How to promote green central banking and climate-related monetary policy in developing Asia
In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Keio University professor Sayuri Shirai, a former Bank of Japan Policy Board member and ADBI visiting fellow, explains the role of central banks in promoting green central banking and climate-related monetary policies in developing Asia.
She stresses the importance of improving awareness of financial institutions, conducting climate scenario analysis,

How Japan’s sanitation and wastewater management breakthroughs can be applied to developing Asia
In this podcast, the Asian Development Bank Institute’s Santi Setiawati spotlights Japan’s innovative sanitation and wastewater management systems and the implementation lessons they offer developing countries in Asia seeking to address coverage gaps within the sector.
The discussion is based on the ADBI policy brief The Financial and Institutional Mechanism of the Sanitation and Wastewater Manag

The way forward for "Washington Consensus" development reforms
Economic policy prescriptions for crisis-hit developing countries known as the “Washington Consensus” have boosted prosperity in Asia and beyond but also have been criticized for negatively affecting manufacturing jobs and the labor force in developed countries.
In this podcast, Jenny Gordon, Honorary Professor at the Centre for Social Research and Methods at the Australian National University, e

How Asia can prevent carbon net-zero ‘greenwashing’
Many governments and non-governmental entities are making ambitious pledges to reduce carbon emissions and move toward a global net-zero level by 2050 to fight climate change. Whether these goals can be achieved will depend on implementation work that verifies pledges are legitimate and not simply empty promises known as ‘greenwashing’. In this podcast, Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former Minister

Understanding the rise of “metaverse” and its significance for developing Asia
The “metaverse” is an emerging concept that could open the door to new service delivery and job creation. But what is the metaverse exactly and how could it affect developing economies in Asia and the Pacific?
In this podcast, Beth Ann Lim, director of policy programs and campaigns at Meta Asia Pacific, and Professor Yong Lim at the Seoul National University AI Policy Initiative discuss the metav

The economics of achieving carbon net zero in Asia’s heavy industry sectors
The realization of carbon net-zero economies in Asia and beyond will depend on the capacity of sectors to adopt decarbonization solutions.
In this podcast, Professor Frank Jotzo, Professor Llewelyn Hughes, and Dr Tom Longden from the Australian National University Crawford School of Public Policy discuss hydrogen’s potential to support the global transition to clean energy and the decarbonization

What’s in the carbon net zero toolbox for consumption-driven developing countries?
Fast-growing developing and emerging countries in Asia and beyond are facing the dual challenges of meeting increasing energy demand while tackling carbon emissions to fight climate change.
In this podcast, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) Chief Economist Erik Berglof describes policy tools a state can use to accelerate private sector-backed carbon net zero transition, such as state-own

How to recover learning losses from COVID-19 school closures
COVID-19-induced school closures have significantly disrupted learning and contributed to learning losses that could have lasting socioeconomic impacts.
In this podcast, Harvard University education professor Fernando Reimers examines the pandemic’s effects on education, disparities faced by developing countries, and lessons for mitigating future education disruptions.
The discussion draws upon

The disruptive effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on economies and global supply chains
Supply chain disruptions linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its economic impacts continue to undermine energy and food security. They are also prompting economies and businesses to rethink how they obtain critical raw materials and component parts.
In this podcast, Alexander Plekhanov of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) discusses new research on the impacts of R

How to move toward inclusive sanitation for gender minorities in developing Asia: Lessons from Nepal
Under the concept of “inclusive sanitation,” access to a safe and clean toilet is considered a right, not a privilege. Yet the world still has work to do to deliver sanitation for all by 2030, as targeted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and recent efforts to consider gender minorities in the sector are an emerging imperative.
In this podcast, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Urb

Developing Asia’s climate change mitigation outlook
Asia and the Pacific account for over 50% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing the urgent need for action to limit global warming to 1.5°C and fight climate change, governments in the region are increasingly committing to the ambitious target of net-zero carbon emissions by around mid-century.
In this podcast, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Climate Envoy Warren Evans explains

APEC’s Rebecca Sta Maria on regional cooperation to revive supply chains
The COVID-19 crisis, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, energy security challenges, supply shortages, and soaring inflation continue to disrupt global trade and put economies worldwide under increasing pressure.
In this podcast, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat Executive Director Rebecca Sta Maria explains APEC member economies’ efforts to rebuild supply chains and promote more

Nobel laureate Michael Kremer on closing the digital rural and agricultural development divide
In this podcast, Nobel laureate Michael Kremer, an economics professor at the University of Chicago, discusses digitalization experiences and lessons learned within the agricultural sector and prospects for digital rural and agricultural development.
Transcript: adbi.me/3UzcXS5

How 2022 G20 president and 2023 ASEAN chair Indonesia could shape energy transition cooperation
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest producer of coal, Southeast Asia’s biggest gas supplier, and the largest biofuel producer globally, according to the International Energy Agency. Yet oil imports in Indonesia are increasing as incomes and consumption rise among the 250 million people of the archipelago, which holds the Group of 20 (G20) presidency in 2022 and will chair the Association of So

What Asia tells us about government’s role in fueling private renewable energy investment
Asia and the Pacific is the world’s primary region for investment in low-carbon transition technologies. Despite recent growth trends, however, investment in clean energy still falls short of the level needed to meet global carbon emission reduction targets and fight climate change.
In this podcast, ADBI’s Dina Azhgaliyeva and John Beirne, and Ranjeeta Mishra from the Reserve Bank of India expla

How the G20’s succession of developing country presidencies could help re-shape the global economy
Indonesia’s Group of 20 (G20) presidency in 2022 marks the start of three successive years in which the annual forum of the world’s largest economies will be hosted by developing countries, to be followed by India in 2023 and Brazil in 2024.
In this podcast, Pramod Bhasin, Chair of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), discusses India’s G20 presidency coun

T7 and its support for G7-Global South cooperation explained
The Think7, or T7, is the think tank engagement group of the Group of 7 (G7) launched under Germany’s 2022 G7 presidency.
In this podcast, ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe, Co-Chair of the T7 Task Force on Sustainable Economic Recovery, and ADBI’s John Beirne and Dina Azhgaliyeva discuss the role and future of the T7. This includes its capacity to support partnership between the G7 and emerging economi

Central bank governor & finance secretary-designate on sustaining the Philippines' recovery momentum
Benjamin Diokno started his appointment as Governor of Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, or BSP, in March 2019. He has spent much of his term as head of the Philippine central bank guiding the country’s economy through the COVID-19 crisis.
In this podcast, Governor Diokno discusses the Philippines’ post-pandemic recovery, which he says is well underway and proceeding faster than expected. Designated a

Overturning common assumptions about the burden of population aging
In this podcast, Vegard Skirbekk of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Columbia University describes a new measure of aging burden that takes into account age-related health – the health adjusted dependency ratio. Skirbekk explains how this indicator overturns common assumptions about the population aging burden and its impacts across countries reflected in the traditional old-age depend

The role of developing Asia’s central banks in dealing with volatile capital outflows
In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Keio University professor Sayuri Shirai, a former Bank of Japan Policy Board member and ADBI visiting fellow from 2016 to 2020, explains the role of developing Asia’s central banks in reviving economic growth while dealing with volatile capital outflows.
She provides historical perspective and addresses shifts stemming from increasing interest rates a

How to bridge the gap between policy research and government action to spark Asian economic recovery
In 2022, the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) is observing the 25th anniversary of its founding as the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Tokyo-based think tank under the theme Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development in Asia and the Pacific.
In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Keio University professor Naoyuki Yoshino, ADBI Dean from 2014-2020 and a longtime finance offi

Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia After COVID-19
Research has shown that when more women work, economies grow. Women’s economic empowerment also boosts productivity, income equality, and development outcomes. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has cast a cloud over the economic outlook for women.
In this podcast, ADBI Capacity Building and Training Economist Pitchaya Sirivunnabood describes the impacts of COVID-19 on women in the economy and policy ne

ADBI pioneer on guiding Asia’s development in the face of transformational change and new risks
In 2022, the Asian Development Bank Institute is observing the 25th anniversary of its founding as the Asian Development Bank’s Tokyo-based think tank under the theme Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development in Asia and the Pacific.
In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, the Australian National University’s Peter McCawley, ADBI Dean from 2003-2007, discusses developing Asia and

Unpacking COVID-19’s economic impacts and recovery potential in the CAREC Region
The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation member countries, also known as the CAREC region, extends from Azerbaijan to the People’s Republic of China, and includes some of the world’s most important producers of energy and natural resources, and emerging trade routes. So how seriously has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the region’s economies and what does the future hold in store?
In this po

Public procurement could be the ticket to innovative recovery in Asia and the Pacific
Public procurement is commonly used by governments in developed countries to promote innovation and socioeconomic policy objectives. However, the strategic use of public procurement as a public policy instrument for innovation is still uncommon in Asia.
In this podcast, ADBI’s senior CBT economist Yongwook Lee and research associate Lingfeng Zheng discuss the dynamics between public procurement a

How Asia can maximize digitalization’s sustainable economic development-boosting potential
Digital transformation is raising the productive capacities of economies in Asia by enhancing trade, financial inclusion, and firm competitiveness, but could it provide an even greater competitive advantage?
According to ADBI Research Fellow John Beirne, the answer is yes! In this podcast, Beirne explains how improvements in infrastructure, digital literacy, and regulation can maximize digitaliza

Indonesia Finance Minister talks strategy to reduce inflation and accelerate recovery
Economies across Asia and globally are facing the risk of spiraling debt and inflation triggered by emergency responses to the COVID-19 crisis.
In this podcast, Indonesia Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati discusses how these challenges could impact economic recovery and strategies for addressing them, including the role of international cooperation.
The discussion draws upon her ADBI Fea

How developing Asia can lift energy subsidies and advance post-COP26 climate change mitigation
The COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow sought to rally global efforts to reduce carbon emissions needed to fight climate change and has prompted countries to commit to more ambitious climate actions. However, implementation challenges remain, particularly in fast-growing, highly-climate vulnerable developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
In this podcast, ADBI’s Dina Azhgaliyeva and

Rethinking the future of Asian cities after COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the world’s cities. It has also prompted rethinking about the role of cities and the future of urbanization.
In this podcast, urban development expert Tsuyoshi Hashimoto discusses the post-pandemic outlook for Asia’s cities and the implications for sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.
His remarks are based on research presented during a re

Unlocking new trade routes between Asia and Europe could deliver an inclusive recovery breakthrough
Spanning from the People’s Republic of China through Central Asian countries along the Caspian Sea to Europe, the Trans-Caspian Corridor is an increasingly important channel for transportation and cross-border trade.
In this podcast, ADBI’s Dina Azhgaliyeva, Yelena Kalyuzhnova of the University of Reading, and Richard Pomfret of the University of Adelaide describe how improved infrastructure deve

How are COVID-19’s economic impacts in Asia shaping the region’s post-pandemic policy prescriptions?
How has the COVID-19 crisis impacted the Asian economy and what can the region’s policy makers do to advance economic recovery?
In this podcast, ADBI Research Fellow John Beirne addresses these fundamental questions, describing new research that underscores the importance of building longer-term resilience and sustainability in Asia and possible ways forward.
The discussion draws upon his new

What Central Asia can tell us about bridging infrastructure and firm competitiveness gaps
Like other emerging markets in Asia, Central Asia faces a significant need for infrastructure development to support onward growth but a comparable shortfall in project financing and implementation capacity.
In this podcast, ADBI’s Dina Azhgaliyeva and Ranjeeta Mishra, and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute’s Kamalbek Karymshakov explain the importance of bridging th

Harmonizing intellectual property regimes could boost innovation in Asia, but how feasible is it?
Harmonizing intellectual property regimes could boost innovation in Asia, but how feasible is it?
What steps could Asia take to enhance intellectual property protection and what impact could it have on the future of innovation development in the region?
In this podcast, the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Peter Fowler explains the link between intellectual property rights and growth,

How to boost the circular economy and potential for a green recovery in Asia
COVID-19 recovery in developing Asia could follow a traditional growth path that relies on carbon- and resource-intensive production. By contrast, the transition to a circular economy could deliver greener and more enduring post-pandemic growth in the region.
In this podcast, ADBI’s Linda Arthur and Derek Hondo, describe the prospects for achieving such a breakthrough and associated principles a

India shows how boosting clean water delivery can improve women’s economic participation
The burden of water collection and distribution often disproportionately falls on the shoulders of women in Asia’s developing economies, where gaps in water infrastructure and hygiene persist and are particularly acute at a household level.
In this podcast, Ashish Sedai of Colorado State University describes clean water access challenges in the region, how the adoption of piped water in household

New Zealand Commission Board Chair Assesses the Future of Infrastructure Development in Asia
Developing Asia will require around $30 trillion in infrastructure investment through 2030, according to the Asian Development Bank. But how has COVID-19 affected the infrastructure landscape and what role can the sector play in pandemic recovery across the region?
In this podcast, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Board Chair Alan Bollard describes post-pandemic infrastructure development c

What do COVID-19 work behavior adaptations in the UK reveal about the future of public transport?
With COVID-19 lockdowns, quarantine requirements, and work from home arrangements still prevalent, how will the pandemic impact the future of public transport and what lessons can policy makers in Asia learn from global experiences within the sector?
In this podcast, we take a look at what’s happening outside the region with Greg Marsden of the University of Leeds Institute of Transport Studies,

How one of Asia’s most dirty fuel-reliant areas can transition to clean energy use
Central Asia remains highly dependent on polluting solid fuels despite significantly increasing access to cleaner alternatives in the region.
In this podcast, ADBI’s Dina Azhgaliyeva and Ranjeeta Mishra, and CAREC Institute’s Kamalbek Karymshakov explain the implications of this gap, and what policy makers can do about it moving forward.
The discussion draws upon their recent article in the Jou

What does the future hold for post-pandemic labor migration in Asia?
Economic and social disruptions accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic have sharply affected labor migration in Asia.
In this podcast, ADBI Capacity Building and Training Economist Pitchaya Sirivunnabood describes the pandemic’s implications for labor mobility as well as the role of digitalization in boosting labor migration management moving forward.
The discussion draws upon Labor Migration in A

ADBI’s Dean explains how infrastructure recoupling could deliver a more effective pandemic recovery
In this podcast, Asian Development Bank Institute Dean Tetsushi Sonobe explains how global efforts to advance quality infrastructure development could enable a more sustainable and inclusive COVID-19 recovery.
He stresses the importance of promoting infrastructure that recouples economic, social, and environmental prosperity, with attention to building support for projects among the general publ

A central bank governor talks strategy for harnessing financial digitalization for COVID-19 recovery
In this podcast, Benjamin Diokno, Governor of Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, or BSP, discusses financial digitalization and inclusive COVID-19 recovery strategy with ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe. Governor Diokno describes the Philippine central bank’s roadmap for overcoming pandemic shocks and building a stronger, more technologically advanced, and more inclusive economy.
Read the transcript
https://bi

What Asia can do to maximize the impact of COVID-19’s fintech boost to financial inclusion
The increased use of financial technology, or fintech, during the COVID-19 pandemic has provided households in Asia and the Pacific with more efficient and shock-resilient financial services access, and also helped the region’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises remain economically viable by offering faster and cheaper financial services than traditional banking. However, economies and com

How latrines can promote girls’ education
In this podcast, the University of Chicago’s Anjali Adukia presents her research on the link between school sanitation infrastructure, education growth, and development in India. Adukia describes the importance of latrine construction in schools for driving primary school enrollment, particularly among girls. She also discusses the policy implications of these dynamics for education and sanitation

How landlocked Central Asia could become a post-pandemic infrastructure financing leader
Greater infrastructure development could give remote, landlocked Central Asian economies a critical boost by enhancing pandemic recovery, poverty eradication, and climate change mitigation. However, growing constraints on the use of public funds will require new financing sources to tackle the region’s substantial infrastructure investment gap.
In this podcast, ADBI research fellow Dina Azhgaliye

How Asia can boost mask production and reignite its SME growth engine through trade
Small and medium-sized enterprises – SMEs – account for most businesses and employment in Asia and the Pacific’s developing economies. Reigniting the region’s SME growth via trade will be key to advancing inclusive economic recovery and resilience in the face of COVID-19 challenges.
In this podcast, Waseda University professor emeritus and ADBI visiting fellow, Shujiro Urata, examines the importa

Asia could lay the groundwork for a post-pandemic infrastructure boom through fairer land use
Meeting developing Asia and the Pacific’s demand for quality infrastructure that can support inclusive post-pandemic growth will requires the steady but equitable acquisition of land. However, geography, settlement patterns, conflicting cultures, and unique country-level land use problems often raise concerns about the fairness of land procurement and undermine project viability.
In this podcast

Central Asia could be a model for advancing SME trade and inclusive recovery
Like in other parts of Asia and the Pacific, small and medium-sized enterprises – SMEs – are the engine of developing Central Asian economies. Igniting the sector’s trade growth potential will be crucial to the region’s inclusive and sustainable COVID-19 recovery and development.
In this podcast, ADBI Vice Chair of Research, Peter Morgan, examines SME trade challenges in Central Asia Regional E

MSME digitalization could be the ticket to a speedy Asian recovery in 2021
Greater digitalization of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, or MSMEs, could be the ticket to a speedy recovery of coronavirus shaken economies in Asia and the Pacific in 2021.
In this podcast, ADBI Dean and CEO, Tetsushi Sonobe, discusses the importance of digital development for reviving growth among the region’s developing economies, related challenges and signs of progress, and the

How to avoid the spiral of climate vulnerability and unsustainable debt
As the impacts of climate change on the natural environment increase, so too are associated risks to macroeconomic stability and fiscal sustainability, particularly among climate vulnerable economies in developing Asia and the Pacific.
In this podcast, ADBI research fellow, John Beirne, discusses the ways in which climate risks affect the cost of sovereign borrowing and the sustainability of publ

Could Asia’s alarming acceleration of garbage accumulation become a sustainability success story?
From disposable masks, to plastic partitions, to one-time use food delivery containers, COVID-19 era consumption habits are adding to the build-up of solid waste across Asia and the Pacific—a region that already was experiencing rapid trash accumulation driven by increasing prosperity and urbanization.
In this podcast, ADBI’s senior capacity building and training specialist, Linda Arthur, and r

The increasingly perilous act of balancing Asia’s economies as digitalization accelerates
Macroeconomic management of the economy as digitalization accelerates during the COVID-19 crisis is a growing challenge for policy makers globally.
In this podcast, ADBI research fellow, John Beirne, discusses the increasing prominence of the digital economy and digital finance and how continued digitalization will affect policies aimed at managing Asia and the Pacific’s emerging market economies

The G20’s think tank network is laying the groundwork for evidence-based recovery breakthroughs
The Think20, the think tank engagement group of the Group of 20, is hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2020. Under the T20, top experts have developed new evidence-based proposals to help G20 leaders navigate COVID-19 challenges and advance sustainable and inclusive global recovery.
In this podcast, Asian Development Bank Institute Dean Tetsushi Sonobe discusses the policy making environment amid the pan

Mastering the art of post-pandemic infrastructure policymaking in politically charged environments
In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, renowned political scientist Francis Fukuyama of Stanford University and ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe discuss the policymaking calculus for advancing infrastructure growth as a sustainable and inclusive recovery driver in politically charged environments.
The views in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development











