Series: Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation Regional Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation (SPDI 2026) 7 to 9 July 2026 Kazakhstan The SPDI Forum is ADB’s flagship platform for strengthening how development projects are designed and implemented. It brings together ADB experts, policymakers, and executing and implementing agencies (EAs/IAs) from across Asia and the Pacific to share knowledge, tackle implementation challenges, and build institutional capacity in project management, quality at entry and readiness, risk management, and overall quality implementation of public projects. The 2026 theme of the forum was Strengthening Project Risk Management for Stronger Development Impact. This year’s theme responds directly to persistent gaps in how project risks are identified, monitored, and updated - translating lessons from ADB’s risk study and portfolio analysis into actionable practice. For any information about the event, please get in touch with Sevil Maharramova at smaharramova@adb.org, Shaista Hussain at shussain@adb.org, and Sha Xu at shaxu@adb.org. Program and Learning Materials 07 July 2026 08 July 2026 09 July 2026 Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Opening Session Opening Remarks This document outlines the opening remarks for the 2026 SPDI, highlighting the importance of bridging the gap between risk management design and… Guoliang Wu Opening Session Opening Remarks This opening remark emphasizes sound project design, effective implementation, and proactive risk management through ADB’s enhanced RAMP, while… Balabhaskara Reddy Bathula 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 1 Beyond the Data: Bridging the Gap Between Risk Management Design and Practice This panel session examines why recurring risk patterns persist despite the availability of established frameworks, guidance, and training. Bringing… Guoliang Wu, Balabhaskara Reddy Bathula, Indu Marie John-Abraham, Ganzorig Bulgankhuu, Sevil Maharramova Presentation Enhancing Project Readiness and Quality at Entry through Effective Risk Identification This session explores key principles of initial project risk assessment, the role of robust due diligence in identifying risks and designing… Mirzo Iskandar Gulamov Panel Session 2 Strengthening Project Implementation Through Cross-Functional Risk Management Early and coordinated risk management is essential for successful project implementation. This session brings together perspectives from financial… Elbek Yusupov, Sophio Omanadze, Jamshid Umarov, Rhodora Concepcion Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: Lessons from Successful Project Implementation Practices Case Study: Guangxi Environmentally Sustainable Rural Development Demonstration Project This presentation gives an overview of the risk management practices in China’s Guangxi Environmentally Sustainable Rural Development Demonstration… Hou Beilei Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: Lessons from Successful Project Implementation Practices Case Study: Xi'an Preschool Education Development Program This presentation gives an overview of the Shaanxi Xi’an Preschool Education Development Program, a results-based lending initiative advancing early… Ding Tao Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: Lessons from Successful Project Implementation Practices Case Study: Sindh Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project This presentation gives an overview of risk management in the Sindh Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project, highlighting key mitigation strategies,… Sajida Ayaz Wrap-up What’s working and what’s missing in our current risk management practices to support successful project implementation? Welcome Reception and Networking event for all Forum Participants Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: What can go wrong if Risks are not Managed Well Case Study: What can go wrong if Risks are not Managed Well (Georgia) This presentation gives an overview of how effective risk management prevents delays, cost increases, and poor outcomes, drawing on lessons and best… Anders Pettersson Case Studies: Risk Management in Action: What can go wrong if Risks are not Managed Well Case Study: What can go wrong if Risks are not Managed Well (Mongolia) This presentation gives an overview of how risk management challenges affected ADB-supported projects in Mongolia, focusing on irrigation delays,… Chandra Mohan Arora Presentations Guiding Risk-Informed Implementation: ADB’s Experience in the Road Sector of Kazakhstan The session highlights the importance of proactive and continuous risk management throughout project implementation and showcases good practices in… Alibek Abdrakhmanov Presentations Regional Cooperation and Integration in Practice: Insights from Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program This session focuses on what regional cooperation means at the project level and how cross-border projects are structured to support policy dialogue… Roman Mogilevskii Sector Risks in Focus Energy This presentation gives an overview of key strategies to enhance energy sector projects by emphasizing the importance of early project preparation,… Serik Zharkinbayev Sector Risks in Focus Transport This presentation gives an overview of the various project implementation risks faced by the transport sector across multiple countries, highlighting… Hiroki Katayama Sector Risks in Focus Water and Urban Development This presentation gives an overview of the key challenges, risks, performance, and best practices in water and urban development projects, focusing… Baochang Zheng Sector Risks in Focus Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development This presentation gives an overview of the key risks and mitigation strategies in AFNR, focusing on practical approaches to strengthen sector… Kazuhiro Yoshida Sector Risks in Focus Human and Social Development This presentation gives an overview of the shift in readiness assessment for the CRF 2025–2030, moving from fragmented indicators to a holistic,… Wahyu Wijayanto Wrap up and Reminders Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Presentations From Lessons to Practice: Forum Insights and the Rollout of GRIP This session summarizes key discussions from the forum and reinforce the importance of proactive risk management across all stages of the project… Sevil Maharramova Presentations Knowledge Partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan This presentation gives an overview of the Knowledge and Experience Exchange Program (KEEP), an ADB–Kazakhstan cost-sharing partnership that supports… Genadiy Rau Presentations ADB-PRC Technical Assistance Operations and Knowledge Partnership This presentation gives an overview of how ADB’s cost-recovery TAs with the PRC strengthens institutions, supports risk management through lessons… Yun Zhou Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Armenia This gives an overview of Armenia’s action plan for strengthening project risk management through rigorous due diligence, continuous risk monitoring,… Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Azerbaijan This gives an overview of Azerbaijan’s key takeaways for improving project implementation. Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Georgia This gives an overview of Georgia’s action plan for improving project readiness, risk management, and implementation. Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections China, People's Republic of This gives an overview of the People's Republic of China's key insights and action plans on project implementation risks. Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Kazakhstan This outlines Kazakhstan’s action plan to managing risks in water projects through contingency planning, design reviews, climate-resilient measures,… Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Mongolia This gives an overview of Mongolia's insights and actions on improving project success by identifying risks early, strengthening implementing… Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Pakistan This gives an overview of Pakistan's key lessons and action plans for stronger risk management and improve project performance. Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Tajikistan This gives an overview of the key insights and plan of Tajikistan to strengthen project risk management through better decision-making, cross… Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Turkmenistan This gives an overview of Turkmenistan’s key takeaways and action plans for strengthening project implementation, including delivery capacity,… Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Türkiye This gives an overview of Türkiye’s key insights and action plans for strengthening project implementation, emphasizing project readiness, continuous… Country Action Plans Discussion and Reflections Uzbekistan This gives an overview of Uzbekistan’s key takeaways and action plans for strengthening project implementation through better preparation, risk… Post-forum Evaluation Closing Session Closing Remarks Guoliang Wu, Director, Portfolio Management Division, ADB Utsav Kumar, Country Director, Kazakhstan Resident Mission, ADB Asan Darbayev, Vice Minister of National Economy, Government of Kazakhstan Closing Session Wrap-up and Distribution of Certificates Closing Session End of the Forum 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 Related Full Agenda Forum Recap ADB Organizer/s Central and West Asia Department East Asia Department Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department Read Also Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation Wrap Video on Risk Management GRIP: Regional Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation Topics ADB Administration and Governance Capacity Development Finance Knowledge Management Regional Cooperation and Integration