In today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, achieving financial health, sustainable finance, and fostering an inclusive, resilient, and stable financial system have become critical priorities for the Asia-Pacific region. Financial health, encompassing the ability of individuals, families, and businesses to manage financial risks, absorb shocks, and achieve financial security, is foundational to building an inclusive economy. As new financial technologies (fintech), digital currencies, and decentralized financial systems emerge, there is an urgent need to ensure that these innovations drive market competition and efficiencies and promote trust and financial stability.

At the same time, sustainable finance is increasingly recognized as a critical driver for achieving long-term economic growth that aligns with global climate goals and the urgent need to mobilize climate finance, especially from the private sector. The shift toward green finance and net-zero targets underscores the role of financial systems in supporting environmental and social sustainability, empowering businesses and individuals to transition to low-carbon and resilient economic models.

This conference, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aims to explore how financial systems across the region can be designed to harness the benefits of innovation and competition while enhancing financial health, promoting sustainable and green financial systems, catalyzing climate finance, fostering trust, protecting consumers, and safeguarding financial stability and resilience.

Through discussions on topics such as financial health, sustainable finance, fintech adoption and integration, financial sector supervision, regulatory frameworks, and capital markets, participants will collaboratively build pathways toward a financial system that is both future-ready and inclusive, contributing to sustainable development across ADB's developing member countries.

The ADB, Asia and the Pacific's Climate Bank, is committed to fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders in its developing member countries to explore and embrace new developments in finance, share best practices, and collectively support building the financial systems of the future. This conference will bring together policymakers, financial sector regulators and supervisors, technologists, academe, and financial institutions to discuss the intersection of technology, regulation, and trust.

Objectives

This conference aims to engage a broad range of stakeholders, including policymakers, private sector, academe, and nongovernment organizations, across ADB's developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific to explore, learn, and collaborate on shaping the future of financial systems. The event will serve as a platform to:

1. Explore New Developments: Delve into emerging trends and challenges in financial technology, sustainable finance, and innovative regulatory frameworks that can support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient financial systems.
2. Foster Knowledge Sharing: Learn through the exchange of insights by showcasing real-world use cases and experiences, allowing participants to learn from each other's strategic approach to managing finance sector challenges and opportunities, focusing on integrating technology and sustainability.
3. Build a Future-Ready Financial System: Collaborate on solutions that address the pressing need for robust regulation, trust-building measures, and technology-driven innovation in the financial sector. Sustainable finance, responsible innovation, and technological integration will be critical cross-cutting themes throughout the conference.
4. Strengthen Cross-Border Collaboration: Encourage regional cooperation to develop harmonized regulatory frameworks and financial policies that accommodate emerging technologies and innovations while enabling a cohesive financial ecosystem, cross-border integration, investment, sustainable growth, financial stability, and inclusion.