The Third Finance Forum envisioned the future of inclusive finance by discussing how new technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain, the rapid expansion of mobile payments and digital banking, are helping to bring financial services to unbanked communities. Under its overarching theme, “The Future of Inclusive Finance”, featured sessions on:

In developing countries of Asia and the Pacific, cities have very different levels of development and often lack core infrastructure and systems for efficient mobility or lack access, connectivity and inclusivity.  The perspectives of right solutions vary between countries, but there still is a heavy bias towards simpler “engineered” solutions being developed. 

World Water Week (WWW) is the annual forum focused on transforming global water challenges. Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) since 1991, it gathers over 3,300 people from more than 130 countries, representing influential, innovative, and dynamic organizations, leaders, and professionals working on policy, research, and other concrete solutions to water, environmental, and development challenges. The theme for each World Water Week often builds on the UN’s World Water Day theme.

Global infrastructure investment is accelerating dramatically. For transport infrastructure alone, 25 million kilometers of roads will be added by 2050 – with 90% in developing countries – including many regions that sustain exceptional biodiversity. The Sustainable Development Goals call for sustainable infrastructure and recognizes that the conservation of biodiversity and critical ecosystem services underpins all of the SDGs. Key questions - How can we ensure that the investments are sustainable? What guidance and innovations can support infrastructure planning and design?

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is seen as an important development policy and planning tool, as it aids decision-makers and other stakeholders in ensuring that development benefits are evenly shared across affected communities and that negative impacts do not disproportionately fall on the most vulnerable. This session, organized by ADB during the 39th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment,  conveyed the business case for undertaking Health Impact Assessment.

Regulatory Sandbox Workshop (16 April 2019)

The level of railway technology varies greatly throughout developing Asia and the Pacific but is often ancient in terms of railway infrastructures, systems, and rolling stock. New technologies in the digital sphere, from control systems to data gathering, create an immense opportunity, but at the same time, the agony of choice as countries must sort and prioritize which technologies are the most appropriate in their specific, national case.

The Asia Pacific region has made significant progress in terms of reducing food insecurity. Despite the remarkable gains, the region is still faced with challenges such as the increasing demand, climate change, shrinking agriculture workforce, and unsustainable use of natural resources, among others. Promoting rural development is critical in helping solve food security issues and propelling economic development.

Smart grids, along with its component technologies, are increasingly becoming an important focus of the ADB energy portfolio in Bangladesh. This conference will serve as a platform to share information on international experience relevant to Bangladesh--these include examples, case studies, implementation roadmaps, frameworks, and strategies. The policy and regulatory environment required to foster low-carbon energy transition, leapfrog with smarter and inclusive technology solutions will be discussed as well.