The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will hold the second stage of its 53rd annual meeting as a virtual event on September 17-18.
A series of webinars open to the media and the public featuring finance and health ministers, development and industry experts, and ADB Management will explore the many issues and challenges facing Asia and the Pacific as it responds to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, reports BSS citing an ADB press release.
The release said the interested can visit the Annual Meeting website and the webinars and meetings page while there is no need for pre-registration as anyone can use the “Add to Calendar” button for the open webinars.
Besides, anyone can Follow #ADBAnnualMeeting on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for regular updates.
The session on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by Strengthening Domestic Resource Mobilization and International Tax Cooperation will be held on September 17 between 9:00 am to 10:30 am (Manila Time, GMT +8).
ADB’s developing members face increasing pressure to raise tax revenues to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa will discuss with representatives from developing member countries and development partners how their collaborative efforts can help address challenges in domestic resource mobilization and international tax cooperation.
Joint Ministers of Finance and Health Symposium on Universal Health Coverage in Asia and the Pacific: COVID-19 and Beyond will also be held on September 17 between 11:00 am to 12:35 pm (Manila Time, GMT +8).
The release said in the midst of the pandemic, countries must take urgent action to scale up effective approaches to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) so that all people can access quality health services without experiencing unnecessary financial hardship.
ADB, the Government of Japan, and the World Health Organization jointly host this seminar that will bring together finance and health ministers to discuss accelerating progress toward UHC in Asia and the Pacific.
Another session titled Regional Cooperation in the Time of COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Way Forward will also be held on September 17 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Manila Time, GMT +8).
This session will focus what lessons can be learned from the historical silk road about regional cooperation, especially during crisis times?
This session also aims to highlight the benefits of regional cooperation in reviving and fostering economic growth in a post-COVID environment. It will discuss the potential role of regional cooperation platforms, such as the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, in building resilience to future crisis.
Besides, the CNBC Debate: Resetting Asia: Technology, Investment, and Sustainability will be held on September 18 between 8:45 am to 9:45 am (Manila Time, GMT +8). Since the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping economies across Asia and the Pacific, the CNBC Debate asks: what role can technology play in propelling Asia’s comeback while embracing the need to focus on sustainability?
The Governors’ Second Business Session will also be held on the same day between 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm (Manila Time, GMT +8).
The business session of the Board of Governors on September 18 follows the first session held on May 22. Governors will consider the remaining agenda items and conclude the meeting.
Lastly, the Governors’ Seminar: Developing Asia Beyond the Pandemic will be held on September 18 between 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm (Manila Time, GMT+8).
The governments in Asia and the Pacific responded decisively to the crisis but now must get their economies on track while grappling with the constraints of the “new normal.” A distinguished panel will explore policies for crisis response, safe reopening, inclusive recovery, and future resilience.