Marco Gemmer serves as Head of the Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines. In this capacity, he oversees the planning, implementation, and monitoring of EU-funded development programs and projects in the Philippines, focusing on areas such as governance, sustainable development, human capital, and economic cooperation.

Ray Pulungan is the CEO of PT Pintar Pemenang Asia, recognized as a visionary leader with extensive experience in organizational development and business strategy. Under his leadership, Pintar continues to grow and deliver innovations that elevate team performance. 

Saje works at the nexus of skills, systems, and partnerships, advancing Industry 4.0, the Future of Work, and the SDGs. As CEO and Founder of Siklab, an internationally recognized development consulting organization in Asia, he leads high-level partnerships for impact. Recognized by the UN, ASEAN, and USAID, he often shares his journey as a young founder, inspiring others to pursue purpose-driven change. 

Haftom Gebregziabher Hagos has worked in the education sector for the past 18 years, building extensive experience in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems. He currently serves as Deputy Director General of the Federal TVET Institute, a subsidiary institute under the Ministry of Labor and Skills. In this role, he supports the strategic development and implementation of national TVET policies and programs aimed at strengthening workforce skills and employability.

Yuko Mitsui serves as Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), one of Japan’s principal agencies for delivering official development assistance. In this role, she has provided strategic leadership across JICA’s global portfolio, overseeing programs that support sustainable development, infrastructure, climate resilience, and human capital development in partner countries, particularly across Asia and the Pacific.

A Policy Specialist at the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), Thailand. I work in the Department of Manpower Strategy and Strategic Management, focusing on higher education, science, research, and innovation strategies. She earned her Ph.D. from Kanazawa University, Japan, specializing in aerosol measurement. She has experience in policy development, strategic planning, and research projects related to environmental science and innovation.

Professor JIN Li serves as the Vice President of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Director of the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO, Director of the SUSTech Academy of Finance and Economics, Chair Professor at SUSTech, and Visiting Chair Professor at Peking University. His research areas include technology finance, pension finance, inclusive finance, digital finance, and family business governance and succession.

Safdar Parvez joined ADB in 2002 and was appointed Director for the Central and West Asia Department’s Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division in 2016. He became an Advisor at the East Asia Department in September 2021 and was appointed Country Director for the People’s Republic of China in November 2022. 

As Country Director, Safdar oversees the entire ambit of ADB’s operations in PRC and is responsible for managing the country relationships, overseeing knowledge work, and supervising the work of the resident mission staff.