Advances in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are gaining significant attention across the development sector, but they may open new avenues for integrity risks and corruption. ADB's Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department and Office of Anticorruption and Integrity are promoting a balance between the hype and the future potential of these solutions versus the risks of corruption.

Under Strategy 2030, ADB will sustain its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and expand its vision to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. Health sector development is one of the key operational priorities under the Strategy 2030. ADB will support its developing member countries to achieve better health for all as well as other service delivery in social sectors for those in need.

Some Asian economies are aging at unprecedented speed. While there are other economies that remain young, no Asian economies will be safe from risk of growing old before becoming rich. In addition to this, technological advances such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) will no doubt play a role in reshaping the future of work.

Developing sustainable, long-term flood resilience requires a management strategy that combines a portfolio of solutions—social, economic, financial, environmental, institutional aspects, engineering, disaster preparedness, insurance, and emergency response requirements. This integrated approach is the only way to manage flood risks especially as climate change evolves.

Ensuring water availability and increasing water efficiency are crucial in attaining social and economic development.

In this knowledge sharing session, ADB's Stephane Bessadi, Saugata Dasgupta, and Massimo Petrone shared their practical experiences and knowledge in addressing intermittent water supply. They also discussed ways to reduce nonrevenue water losses and achieve 24/7 water supply provision in ADB's developing member countries.

Infrastructure in support of sustainable development has a critical role to play in Southeast Asia's economic growth, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has started the process of crafting the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2019-2023 for Cambodia by holding a series of consultations with stakeholders.

To ensure that its future interventions are inclusive and responding to the needs of Cambodia and its people, consultations process to formulate the CPS has expanded to include stakeholders at both national and sub-national level.

Policy makers in developing countries are eager to learn about large-scale public infrastructure such as high-speed rail (HSR). India’s government, for one, has announced plans to adopt Japan’s shinkansen technology for the HSR project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. JR East is providing technical support based on its extensive experience as a shinkansen operator in Japan.

What does it take to become a smart city like Seoul?

In this brown bag session hosted by ADB's Urban Sector Group, Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) executive director Hongsoo Lee discussed the different factors that led Seoul to become one of the world’s leading smart cities. He also shared his experience working for the urban regeneration of Singapore, another proponent of smart cities, and emphasized the importance of the 4P: public-private-people partnership.