COVID-19 recovery in developing Asia could follow a traditional growth path that relies on carbon- and resource-intensive production. By contrast, the transition to a circular economy could deliver greener and more enduring post-pandemic growth in the region. 

In this podcast, ADBI’s Linda Arthur and Derek Hondo, describe the prospects for achieving such a breakthrough and associated principles and policy priorities.

Read the transcript
https://adbi.me/3kIbiZj

Related link
Virtual Conference on Circular Economy in Emerging Markets: Unlocking the Potential for Green Recovery in Developing Asia
https://adbi.me/2WCCGPK

How to boost the circular economy and potential for a green recovery in Asia

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the world’s cities. It has also prompted rethinking about the role of cities and the future of urbanization.

In this podcast, urban development expert Tsuyoshi Hashimoto discusses the post-pandemic outlook for Asia’s cities and the implications for sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.

His remarks are based on research presented during a recent ADBI virtual policy dialogue on rethinking the role of cities and urban function.

Read the transcript
https://adbi.me/3c2ROue

Rethinking the future of Asian cities after COVID-19

Research has shown that when more women work, economies grow. Women’s economic empowerment also boosts productivity, income equality, and development outcomes. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has cast a cloud over the economic outlook for women. 

In this podcast, ADBI Capacity Building and Training Economist Pitchaya Sirivunnabood describes the impacts of COVID-19 on women in the economy and policy next steps in Asia, including the importance of addressing gender gaps in digital literacy, social investment, and regulation. 

The discussion draws upon her recommendations presented to policy makers from the region during a recent Healthy Women, Healthy Economies conference organized by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC.

Read the transcript
https://adbi.me/3wRP26K

Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia After COVID-19

In 2022, the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) is observing the 25th anniversary of its founding as the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Tokyo-based think tank under the theme Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development in Asia and the Pacific.

In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Keio University professor Naoyuki Yoshino, ADBI Dean from 2014-2020 and a longtime finance official for the Government of Japan, discusses ways to effectively translate innovative policy research into government action. He draws upon his experience as chair of the Group of 20’s think tank engagement group, the Think20 (T20), during Japan’s 2019 G20 presidency. He goes on to explain how policy researchers can leverage their work to boost economic recovery in Asia and the Pacific.

Read the transcript: https://adbi.me/3vruXSl

How to bridge the gap between policy research and government action to spark Asian economic recovery

In this podcast, Vegard Skirbekk of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Columbia University describes a new measure of aging burden that takes into account age-related health – the health adjusted dependency ratio. Skirbekk explains how this indicator overturns common assumptions about the population aging burden and its impacts across countries reflected in the traditional old-age dependency ratio. He also describes the policy significance, especially in countries with young but rapidly aging populations, including those in developing Asia.

Read the transcript: https://adbi.me/3LuupRF

Overturning common assumptions about the burden of population aging

The Think7, or T7, is the think tank engagement group of the Group of 7 (G7) launched under Germany’s 2022 G7 presidency. 

In this podcast, ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe, Co-Chair of the T7 Task Force on Sustainable Economic Recovery, and ADBI’s John Beirne and Dina Azhgaliyeva discuss the role and future of the T7. This includes its capacity to support partnership between the G7 and emerging economies in Asia and the Pacific, and globally, and the implications for sustainable development.

Read the transcript: https://adbi.me/3nsdqGd

T7 and its support for G7-Global South cooperation explained

Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest producer of coal, Southeast Asia’s biggest gas supplier, and the largest biofuel producer globally, according to the International Energy Agency. Yet oil imports in Indonesia are increasing as incomes and consumption rise among the 250 million people of the archipelago, which holds the Group of 20 (G20) presidency in 2022 and will chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2023.

In this podcast, ADBI’s Dina Azhgaliyeva, ASEAN Centre for Energy Executive Director Nuki Agya Utama, and Kuki Soejachmoen, co-chair of the climate and energy transition task force of the G20’s think tank engagement group, Think20 (T20), talk about energy transition in Asia and how Indonesia’s leadership in the G20 and ASEAN could shape energy transition cooperation.

The discussion draws upon a T20-associated roundtable on energy transition financing that was held as part of the 43rd International Association of Energy Economics International Conference.

Transcript: https://adbi.me/3cQp6RC

How 2022 G20 president and 2023 ASEAN chair Indonesia could shape energy transition cooperation

Asia and the Pacific account for over 50% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing the urgent need for action to limit global warming to 1.5°C and fight climate change, governments in the region are increasingly committing to the ambitious target of net-zero carbon emissions by around mid-century.

In this podcast, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Climate Envoy Warren Evans explains the benefits of climate change mitigation efforts to developing countries in Asia and the Pacific and discusses some solutions for achieving their carbon reduction commitments, and provides a blueprint for long-term emissions cuts critical to climate change mitigation and resilience.

Read the transcript: adbi.me/3ALDqn8

Developing Asia’s climate change mitigation outlook

COVID-19-induced school closures have significantly disrupted learning and contributed to learning losses that could have lasting socioeconomic impacts.

In this podcast, Harvard University education professor Fernando Reimers examines the pandemic’s effects on education, disparities faced by developing countries, and lessons for mitigating future education disruptions. 

The discussion draws upon his ADBI Featured Speaker Webinar on building resilient education systems after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transcript: adbi.me/3kFlEwG

How to recover learning losses from COVID-19 school closures

Fast-growing developing and emerging countries in Asia and beyond are facing the dual challenges of meeting increasing energy demand while tackling carbon emissions to fight climate change.

In this podcast, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) Chief Economist Erik Berglof describes policy tools a state can use to accelerate private sector-backed carbon net zero transition, such as state-owned financial institutions and private-public partnerships. He also explains how these tools can be integrated into national strategies to promote innovation and technology adoption.

The discussion draws upon his ADBI Featured Speaker Webinar on state capacity and private sector mobilization toward net zero in emerging economies.  

Transcript: adbi.me/3RVe65e

What’s in the carbon net zero toolbox for consumption-driven developing countries?

Economic policy prescriptions for crisis-hit developing countries known as the “Washington Consensus” have boosted prosperity in Asia and beyond but also have been criticized for negatively affecting manufacturing jobs and the labor force in developed countries.

In this podcast, Jenny Gordon, Honorary Professor at the Centre for Social Research and Methods at the Australian National University, explains the principles and limitations of the Washington Consensus and how countries can approach them effectively moving forward.

Transcript: adbi.me/3Ow6AxQ

The way forward for "Washington Consensus" development reforms

In this podcast, the Asian Development Bank Institute’s Santi Setiawati spotlights Japan’s innovative sanitation and wastewater management systems and the implementation lessons they offer developing countries in Asia seeking to address coverage gaps within the sector.

The discussion is based on the ADBI policy brief The Financial and Institutional Mechanism of the Sanitation and Wastewater Management System: Learning from the Japanese Experience.

Transcript: adbi.me/45dhYVm

How Japan’s sanitation and wastewater management breakthroughs can be applied to developing Asia

In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Keio University professor Sayuri Shirai, a former Bank of Japan Policy Board member and ADBI visiting fellow, explains the role of central banks in promoting green central banking and climate-related monetary policies in developing Asia.

She stresses the importance of improving awareness of financial institutions, conducting climate scenario analysis, and implementing standardized climate-related disclosures to draw more direct investment to emerging economies in Asia.

Script: adbi.me/3RlxOJa

How to promote green central banking and climate-related monetary policy in developing Asia

Almost two million households across Central Asia suffer from energy poverty according to the World Bank. The challenges are to maintain and provide infrastructure in rural parts of the region and explore new energy models for social inclusion and just transition.

In this podcast, ADBI Senior Research Fellow Dina Azhgaliyeva, Zhanna Kapsalyamova from Nazarbayev University, and Anna Arkhangelskaya from the Institute of Energy under the Kyrgyz Technical University explain socio-economic disparity that energy-poor households face and discuss policy options to replace inefficient fossil fuel subsidies while minimizing the impact of energy prices on vulnerable households.

Script: adbi.me/46zOLU9

How to tackle energy poverty for a just transition in Central Asia

Women entrepreneurs make a significant contribution to the Indian economy. However, access to formal finance is a crucial barrier to the growth of women-owned businesses. 

In this podcast, Renana Jhabvala, the President of SEWA, the Self-Employed Women’s Association, will explain the policy tool that the Indian government has been implementing to formalize women’s economic participation and her experience with SEWA in utilizing bridge institutions to connect women entrepreneurs and formal banking sector.

Transcript: adbi.me/3vHsHdB

How to close the finance gap for women entrepreneurs in India

From machine learning to Blockchain, clean tech organizations are exploring innovative ways to support the adoption of renewable energy sources while also addressing energy poverty. 

In this episode, Onon Bayasgalan, Chief Sustainability Officer for URECA talks about their project in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, that is empowering women-led households by switching from coal to solar power and giving them access to the carbon credit market to finance their energy transition.

Empowering women through solar energy

Hybrid working is a win-win for employers and employees, says Professor Nicholas Bloom, but why hasn’t it taken off in many parts Asia and the Pacific? The economist from Stanford University shares his thoughts and latest research in a discussion with ADBI.

Is working from home working in Asia?

Join independent science journalist Disha Shetty, recent winner of ADBI’s Developing Asia Journalism Awards, and Suling Lin, senior columnist from The Straits Times, as they discuss the challenges facing journalists reporting on development issues in an ever-changing news environment, and how collaboration with research organizations can amplify their impact.

Reporting for a better world: Journalism’s role in sustainable development

The first World Conference on Creative Economy, held in Indonesia in 2018, paved the way by emphasizing the critical role of creativity in driving economic growth and fostering global collaboration. Join ADBI's James Correia and Sheena Leong explore the transformative power of the creative economy and its potential to shape a sustainable and inclusive future.

The impact of the creative economy

Estimates suggest that only 15% of Asian assets have appropriate coverage for disaster risks. How can these “protection gaps” be filled? Yoshihiro Kawai, Chair of Global Asia Insurance Partnership and Tetsushi Sonobe, Dean of ADBI discuss the issue and how a new joint project aims to increase risk resilience.  

Building risk resilience in Asia and the Pacific

How can smart ports drive sustainability and development? ADB’s Yesim Elhan-Kayalar and maritime expert Eleanor Hadland explore how AI and other digital innovations are transforming ports, reducing emissions and can help countries in Asia and the Pacific achieve their sustainability goals.

Navigating the future of smart ports

If you don’t know what InsurTech is, you should. Listen to global insurance expert Susan Holliday explain how this dynamic area of FinTech is shaking up the industry, and how it can support sustainable development and address Asia and the Pacific’s protection gaps.

Why InsurTech matters: innovation, inclusion and impact

Globally, smallholder farmers account for over 80% of farms and are estimated to produce around one-third of the world's food, but with climate change, economic shocks and environmental degradation to contend with what does the future hold for the people who feed billions around the world? ADBI senior research fellow Dil Rahut and Imtiaz Farhan Bin Habib, CEO and co-founder of Agronochain, explore the innovations and policies that can secure the future of smallholder farmers.

Script: https://adbi.me/3XXUKk6

Growing a sustainable future for smallholder farmers

Governments are some of the biggest buyers of construction services, putting them in a powerful position to shape a more sustainable future. In this episode, Andrew Minson, Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director at the Global Cement and Concrete Association, and Jenny Yan Yee Chu, Procurement Specialist at the Asian Development Bank explore how sustainable public procurement can change industry, spark sustainable growth, and build a low-carbon future for Asia and the Pacific. 
Script: https://adbi.me/3Ya2UGq

Cementing sustainability in the construction industry

In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Daniel Suryadarma and Takiko Igarashi from ADB Institute explore how Asia can tackle its growing education crisis where 70% of 10-year-olds in developing countries struggle with basic reading.
Script: https://adbi.me/3STBD7Y

Asia’s learning crisis: how teachers and technology are changing the game

As scams and cybercrime soar in the digital age, financial crime has become a moving target. Shawn Hunter, research fellow at Griffith Asia Institute, and Louis de Koker, a professor of law at La Trobe University, explain how new technologies, outdated frameworks, and regulatory gaps affect everything from financial inclusion to cross-border cooperation in Asia and the Pacific.

Script: https://adbi.me/3T5D5V1

The costs of financial crime prevention in Asia and the Pacific

With global fragmentation on the rise, ADBI Dean Bambang Brodjonegoro and ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, Scott Morris explore how Asia and the Pacific can boost resilience and forge a bright future through cross-border integration. 
Read the transcript: https://adbi.me/3GN3zIh

Why regional integration in Asia matters now more than ever

Dr. K.E. Seetharam, Senior Consulting Specialist at the Asian Development Bank Institute, and Dr. Sakshi Pandey of the Capacity Building Commission, Government of India, explore Asia’s triple burden of malnutrition: urban obesity, rural undernutrition, and widespread micronutrient deficiencies. Drawing on case studies and insights from their recent book, they examine how urbanization, evolving food systems, and socio-economic disparities are reshaping public health across the region. Script: https://adbi.me/4m4p078

The triple burden of malnutrition in modern Asia

How is AI reshaping the future of work across Asia and the Pacific? In this episode, journalist Michael Beltran and Professor Mohammad Jarrahi cut through the hype to explore automation, tacit knowledge, and co-learning between humans and machines. Discover what AI means for BPO workers, education, and the policies needed to protect vulnerable communities.

Script: https://adbi.me/46202Qo

AI at work: hype, hope, and hard realities in Asia

Court battles can drag on for years, but what if major cross-border disputes could be solved in just days?  Nadja Alexander, Director of the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, and Rajesh Sharma, Director of RMIT Dispute Management Centre, explain how mediation and arbitration are helping Asia’s economies cut case backlogs, boost investor confidence, and build trust.  

 Script: https://adbi.me/3L6O289

How alternative dispute resolution can drive development in Asia

ADBI is the think tank of the Asian Development Bank. We conduct policy research and capacity building to drive sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

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