Unlocking the potential of the blue economy in Asia and the Pacific

One month after the deadly floods in the river valleys of the Nepal-China border area, recovery efforts are still continuing. What can be done to urgently strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience for communities in a region that is facing increasing risks of natural hazards of greater intensity? Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and Santosh Kumar Rauniyar, Senior Research Fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, discuss the ongoing threats to the region and the actions needed now. Script: https://adbi.me/4hgBLeT

Policymakers in Asia’s cities won’t often win the argument for change and investment by leading with carbon emissions reduction alone, so what do they need to do to support the transition to net zero? Piyush Tiwari, professor of property at Melbourne University, Australia, and co-editor of ADBI’s recent book, Reimagining Net-Zero Cities: Exploring the Role of the Private Sector, Institutions, Governments and Communities, discusses the pathways and tools that can successfully create a sustainable and prosperous future for our urban centers. Script: https://adbi.me/4gO3Vwu

Health systems across Asia and the Pacific are under pressure. Populations are aging, and there are increasing risks from climate change and future pandemics. Governments are facing tighter budgets. In these conditions, can universal health coverage still be attainable? Osamu Kunii, CEO and Executive Director of the Global Health Innovation Technology Fund, and Eduardo Banzon, Director of the Asian Development Bank’s Health Sector Team discuss the key issues facing health financing. Script: https://adbi.me/3TNnyN7

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

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

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

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-Navarrete of the University of Cambridge discuss how gender-responsive industrial policy can be designed and implemented—and why it matters for inclusive and sustainable growth. Script: https://adbi.me/4rI8kEC

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

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 resilient growth, and harness emerging technologies like AI. Script: https://adbi.me/4ajWBX4

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