Highlights

The pandemic has had a deep and profound impact throughout Southeast Asia. Many of the region’s hard-won gains in reducing poverty, creating jobs, and enhancing health and well-being have been reversed, with the poor and vulnerable particularly hard-hit.

While countries continue to grapple with the severe economic, health, and social impacts of the pandemic, vaccine rollouts, the promise of new treatments, substantial economic relief, and targeted social support are helping to make inroads. Green shoots of recovery are starting to appear, and Southeast Asian nations are now laying the groundwork for reopening and more enduring recovery.

The Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) 2022, “Sustainable Solutions for Southeast Asia’s Recovery,” took place on 16–17 March and focused on (i) green recovery, (ii) tourism revitalization, (iii) the advancement of innovation and technology, (iv) addressing supply chain constraints; (v) advancing gender equality; and (vi) ensuring Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) financing.

ADB established SEADS to convene leaders from government, industry, academia, and the development sector to help crystallize thinking on critical development issues, and to put forward innovative ideas that can help countries make their economies more prosperous, knowledge-based, and sustainable. The first two SEADS took place amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and accordingly focused on helping Southeast Asian countries counter the immediate impacts of COVID-19. 

It is hoped that SEADS can contribute to dialogue at the 2022 ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting, ADB Annual Meeting, and G20 Summit (being hosted by Indonesia).