Series: Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation 2025 Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation 13 to 15 October 2025 The Regional Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation (SPDI) is a flagship initiative of the Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department (PPFD) that brings together developing member countries (DMCs) policymakers, practitioners, and project implementers for practical discussions, training, and knowledge sharing aimed at improving project management and implementation outcomes. The theme of the 2025 SPDI Forum was Strengthening Project Risk Management for Stronger Development Impact. It was jointly organized under the One ADB Approach by the Portfolio Management Division, PPFD, with the South Asia (SARD) and Southeast Asia (SERD) Regional Departments. It was the first large-scale cross-regional SPDI event focused on project risk assessment and management. For any information about the event, please get in touch with Sevil Maharramova at smaharramova@adb.org and Prabhasha Sahu at psahu@adb.org. Program and Learning Materials 13 October 2025 14 October 2025 15 October 2025 Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Opening Session Opening Remarks This document outlines the opening speech for a regional training program on risk management in development projects, emphasizing the importance of… Guoliang Wu Keynote Presentation Stage Setting: Why Risk Management Matters in Development Projects This session highlights the importance of risk management in development projects, showing how early integration and proactive planning can… Guoliang Wu Panel Session What Data Shows: Risk Patterns and Lessons from Past Projects Guoliang Wu, Director, Portfolio Management Division, ADB Bouadokpheng Chansavat, Regional Head, Operations Coordination, ADB Wei Sen Chang, Principal Audit Specialist, Office of the Auditor General, ADB Vikas Rajoria, Project Administrator and Additional Project Director, Madhya Pradesh, Water Resources Department, Government of India Md Shaheenur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh Moderator: Sevil Maharramova, Senior Portfolio Management Specialist, Portfolio Management Division, ADB Presentation Financial Management Risk Control This session will explore how financial risks can be identified and mitigated through strong internal controls, early warning systems, and compliance… Julitta Ponniah Presentation Procurement Risk Management This session explores how procurement risks can be anticipated and mitigated through better planning, supplier engagement, and contract management… Kirsteen Mack Wrap-up What’s working and what’s missing in our current risk management practices? Sevil Maharramova, Senior Portfolio Management Specialist, Portfolio Management Division, ADB Welcome Reception and Networking Event for All Forum Participants Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Presentation Managing Project Safeguards Risks This presentation gives an overview on how environmental and social safeguards frameworks help identify and mitigate risks early in the project cycle… Vergel Medina, Achyutha Rao Aleti Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: Lessons from a Successful Project Implementation Case Study: Bangladesh This presentation gives an overview of the risk identification, assessment, and mitigation measures for the Assam Skill University Project, including… Mohammed Sayeedul Haque Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: Lessons from a Successful Project Implementation Case Study: India This presentation provides an overview of the Bangladesh South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Road Connectivity Project Tranche 1, detailing… Akhilesh Samyal Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: Lessons from a Successful Project Implementation Case Study: Maldives This presentation provides an overview of the climate resilience and food security project by ADB, detailing its funding, objectives, risk… Sara Dhilhan Vais Sector Risks in Focus: Feedback from the sector group discussions Energy This presentation gives an overview of proposals for optimizing project design, readiness, monitoring, and capacity development within the energy… Choon-Sik Jung Sector Risks in Focus: Feedback from the sector group discussions Human and Social Development This presentation provides an overview of best practices for project management in the context of human and social development, with a focus on… Unika Shrestha Sector Risks in Focus: Feedback from the sector group discussions Water and Urban Development This presentation gives an overview of risk mitigation measures for water urban projects managed by ADB, focusing on institutional, procurement,… Rodellyn Manalac Carada Sector Risks in Focus: Feedback from the sector group discussions Transport This presentation provides an overview of risk assessments and mitigation plans for various transport projects managed by ADB, highlighting best… Nirojan Donald Sinclair Wrap-up and Reminders Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Presentation Guiding Risk-Informed Implementation This presentation summarizes key discussions from the forum, reinforces the importance of proactive risk management, and introduces the Project… Hans Carlsson Breakout Session Country-Level Discussions for Improved Projects’ Risk Management Country Presentations Bangladesh The presentation outlines discussions and lessons learned regarding risk management and project design for development projects in Bangladesh,… Country Presentations Bhutan This presentation gives an outline of a country-level discussion on project risk management in Bhutan, highlighting key insights, lessons learned,… Country Presentations India The presentation outlines key insights and actions for improving project performance and risk management in ADB projects, specifically focusing on… Country Presentations Maldives The presentation outlines key insights and actions for enhancing project performance and risk management in the Maldives, with a focus on ADB… Country Presentations Philippines The presentation outlines key takeaways and recommended actions for effective risk management and accountability in project implementation within the… Country Presentations Sri Lanka The presentation outlines lessons learned and future approaches regarding financial and governance risks encountered in project implementation in Sri… Country Presentations Timor-Leste The presentation outlines key insights and actions related to project risk management and upcoming guidelines from ADB in Timor-Leste. Country Presentations Thailand The presentation outlines internal insights and actions related to Thailand, intended for ADB Management staff. Country Presentations Viet Nam The presentation outlines lessons learned and actions to enhance risk management in ADB-funded projects in Viet Nam. Closing Remarks Guoliang Wu, Director, Portfolio Management Division, ADB Chomchak Amonvatana, Director of the International Cooperation Division, Public Debt Management Office Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Event Coordinator/s Amy Grace Ramos ADB Organizer/s Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department Read Also Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation Video: Risk Management 101 Post-Forum Survey Analysis Topics ADB Administration and Governance Finance