Mitash has extensive experience in development operations and project management within ADB, contributing to initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth, regional cooperation, and infrastructure development across Asia and the Pacific. His role involves supporting strategic planning, monitoring project implementation, and helping ensure that ADB-funded programs are effectively delivered in line with the bank’s development priorities.

Aafreen Siddiqi is the Regional Engagement Lead for Digital at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Hub. In this role, she works on advancing digital transformation initiatives across countries in the region, supporting governments and development partners in strengthening digital public infrastructure, digital governance, and inclusive digital economies. Her work focuses on building partnerships, facilitating regional collaboration, and promoting the adoption of digital solutions that improve public service delivery and support sustainable development outcomes.

Nilaya Mitash is a Principal Operations Coordination Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In this role, he supports the coordination and implementation of ADB’s operational programs, working across departments to ensure alignment between project design, financing, and development objectives. His work focuses on strengthening operational effectiveness and facilitating collaboration among teams involved in regional and sectoral development initiatives.

Uttam Kumar Shahi is a Director at the BIMSTEC Secretariat, the institutional body of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). In this role, he supports the coordination and implementation of regional cooperation initiatives among BIMSTEC member states, particularly in areas such as economic cooperation, connectivity, and development collaboration across the Bay of Bengal region.

Dasun Hegoda is a technology expert and digital transformation advisor working with the Government of Sri Lanka. He serves as a technical advisor in the Digital Economy Unit at the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka, where he supports national initiatives related to digital public infrastructure (DPI) and government digitalization. In this role, he has contributed to the development and implementation of several major digital systems aimed at improving public services and digital governance in Sri Lanka.

Jordan Sandman is a Principal (Investments) at the Co-Develop Fund, a global philanthropic initiative that supports the development and deployment of inclusive digital public infrastructure (DPI). In this role, he leads investment and grantmaking activities that support research organizations, civil society groups, and policy experts working on the design, governance, and implementation of digital systems that enable public services such as digital identity, payment platforms, and data-sharing frameworks.

Parvez Iftikhar, an independent ICT Consultant in the Policy and Regulation space, has over 40 years of ICT related experience, both in the public and private sectors - in Pakistan as well as abroad.

Most of his Consulting work is outside Pakistan (15 countries so far). He works for global organizations like the World Bank, ADB, ITU, USAID, A4AI, CTO, FCDO, etc., as well as some private consulting houses in Europe and the US.

Parvez was the founding CEO of USF (Universal Service Fund) Pakistan. Prior to USF, he was the country head of Siemens Telecom in Pakistan.