Replicating ADB Projects from the People’s Republic of China

Generation of knowledge is a priority of the partnership between Asian Development Bank and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC’s rich experiences and its strong institutional and project implementation capacities make it fertile ground for learning, demonstration, and replication of new development approaches. A new publication, “Echoes of Success: Case Studies in the Replication of Asian Development Bank Projects in the People’s Republic of China,” looks at five projects in the PRC that illustrate how effective solutions to environmental and social problems have been replicated both within and outside the country. The sectors covered span nature conservation, green finance, road safety, renewable energy, and water resources management. The case studies highlight how lessons from projects in the PRC can help inspire and shape other projects in the PRC and beyond.

10th International Conference on Eco-Compensation and Payments for Ecosystem Services

Eco-compensation is a policy mechanism which aims to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of human activities by implementing measures to offset or compensate for ecological damage caused by those activities. Examples of eco- compensation include fiscal transfer, regional cooperation, and market incentives.

Over the past two decades, eco-compensation has seen significant development and innovative application in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Pilot projects established at the regional scale have demonstrated encouraging results across the country. The State Council proclaimed the Eco-compensation Regulation in April 2024, which provided the foundation for eco-compensation to be formally adopted and integrated into broader incentive mechanisms to achieve sustainability, supported by appropriate regulatory and legal basis.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has supported the development of eco-compensation in the PRC with technical assistance and capacity building support since 2009. This has predominantly been through facilitating policy dialogue and technical cooperation with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on a range of projects and policy reform initiatives, including eco-compensation policy, legislation, market-based instruments, performance evaluation, and links with wider poverty reduction initiatives.

This year’s conference is a regional flagship event led by the ADB’s Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Group (AFNR) to promote collaboration among public, private, and civil sectors for sustainable conservation finance, discuss innovative financing methods and challenges, strengthen networks among eco-compensation and PES stakeholders, and facilitate knowledge sharing among countries including the PRC. This year’s conference will also include a focus on methane emissions reduction in agriculture for enhanced food security and climate action.

This year’s 10th International Conference on Eco-compensation and PES will review the progress of eco-compensation in the PRC and PES globally and has a thematic focus on market-based and user-paid mechanisms and legal framework for eco-compensation and PES.

 

Join the webinar here
Passcode: WEB221124

 

Agenda

Excursion:

•    Miyun Reservoir Exhibition Museum
•    Jixing Agricultural Park built on the wildlands
•    Earth System Simulation Facility
•    Chinese Bee Protected Area in Fengjiayu

TimeProgram
09:00 – 11:00Opening Plenary and Keynote Speech
Chair: Yu Haibo, Governor of Miyun District Government, Beijing Municipality
09:00 – 09:40Opening Remarks
  • Guo Lanfeng, Vice Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
  • Muhammad Ehsan Khan, Director General, EARD, ADB
  • Xia Linmao, Vice Mayor, Beijing People’s Government
Keynote Presentations
09:40 – 10:00Advances in Policy and Legislation of Eco-compensation in the PRC
Tong Zhangshun, Director General, Regional Revitalization Department, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
10:00 – 10:20China’s Approach and Innovation in Eco-compensation
Wang Jinnan, Honorable Dean, Chinese Academy of Environmental Protection, and Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
10:20 – 10:40Scaling up natural capital investment in the Asia-Pacific Region
Qingfeng Zhang, Senior Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
10:40 – 11:00Coffee/Tea Break
11:00 – 12:00Thematic Session 1: Advancement in Eco-compensation and payments for Ecosystem Services
Chair: Sanath Ranawana, Director, Natural Capital and Climate, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office, ADB
11:00 – 11:20Natural Capital Accounting for Ecosystem Conservation
Chunquan Zhu, Head, China Nature Initiatives, World Economic Forum
11:30 – 11:45Water funds for Watershed Protection |
Daniel Shemie, Director, Resilient Freshwater (Water-fund), TNC
11:45 – 12:00Panel Discussion and Questions and Answers
Innovation, Legislation, and Replicability of China’s Eco-Compensation
Moderated by Sanath Ranawana, Director, Natural Capital and Climate, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office, ADB


  • Wang Jinnan, Honorable Dean, Chinese Academy of Environmental Protection, and Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering
  • Qingfeng Zhang, Senior Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
  • Chunquan Zhu, Head, China Nature Initiatives, World Economic Forum
  • Daniel Shemie, Director, Resilient Freshwater (Water-fund), TNC
12:00 – 13:30Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:25Thematic Session 2: Market-based Eco-compensation
Chair: Au Shion Yee, Principal Water Resources Specialist, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Group, ADB
13:30 – 13:50Green transformation with green finance
Ge Xiangqun, Deputy General Manager, Operation Department, China Development Bank
13:50 – 14:10Market based nature finance
Zhang Anping, Deputy General Manager, National Green Development Fund
14:10 – 14:25AIIB innovation in investment in nature |
Xie Chunping, Climate Economist, Economics Department, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
14:25 – 14:40Market Instruments to Invest Ecosystem Protection and Restoration
Callum Douglas, Senior Strategy Consultant, Nature and Biodiversity Strategy, Policy and Budget Department
14:40 – 14:55Biodiversity credit mechanism assisting high-quality development of nature markets
Chen Yuanzhe, Secretary General, Chinese Institute of Green Carbon
14:55 – 15:25Panel Discussion and Questions and Answers
Market-based Eco-Compensation and PES: Viability and Necessity

Moderated by Mingyuan Fan, Principal Water Resources Specialist, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Group, ADB,


  • Ge Xiangqun, Deputy General Manager, Operation Department, China Development Bank
  • Zhang Anping, Deputy General Manager, National Green Development Fund
  • Xie Chunping, Climate Economist, Economics Department, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
  • Callum Douglas, Senior Strategy Consultant, Nature and Biodiversity Strategy, Policy and Budget Department
  • Chen Yuanzhe, Secretary General, Chinese Institute of Green Carbon
15:25 – 15:40Coffee/Tea Break
15:40 – 18:00Thematic Session 3: Eco-Compensation with Charity Refund
Chair: Song Yuanyuan, Director, Regional Revitalization Department of NDRC
15:40 – 15:55Public involvement in eco-compensation
Chen Peng, Secretary General, China Green Foundation
15:55 – 16:10Environmental charity foundation development and eco-compensation in China
Liu Chunlong, Secretary General, China Environmental Protection Foundation
16:10 – 16:25Environmental foundation financing: international perspectives and implications for China and other DMCs
Ren Wenwei, Director of Water Practice & Head of Shanghai Office, WWF (Switzerland) China
16:25 – 16:35Question & Answers
16:35 – 16:55Financing Innovations in nature conservation
Zhu Da, Country Director, China Program, The Nature Conservancy
16:55 – 17:15The Practice on Civil Protected Areas by The Paradise International Foundation
Wang Dezhi, Chief Scientist, The Paradise International Foundation
17:15 – 18:00Panel Discussion and Questions and Answers
Eco-compensation with Charity Fund and Public Participation

Moderated by Song Yuanyuan, Director, Regional Revitalization Department of NDRC

  • Chen Peng Secretary General, China Green Foundation
  • Liu Chunlong, Secretary General, China Environmental Protection Foundation
  • Zhu Da, Country Director, TNC China Program
  • Wang Dezhi, Chief Scientist, The Paradise International Foundation
  • Ren Wenwei, Director of Water Practice & Head of Shanghai Office, WWF (Switzerland) China
  • Shi Jianbin, Senior Project Manager, Paulsen Institute
18:00 – 20:00Dinner
TimeProgram
09:00 – 11:30 Thematic Session 4: Environmental Protection Embedded in Development
Chair: Sun Yinhong, Country Program Coordinator, IFAD China Office
09:00 – 09:15Ecological protection and compensation in hydropower development
Miao Yongbao, Deputy General Manager, Yangtze Three Gorges Investment Corporation
09:15 – 09:30Protected areas financing with user-pay mechanisms
Teuanchay Phongkhamphanh, Deputy Head of the Protected Area Management Division of the Department of Forestry, Laos
09:30 – 09:45Payments for ecosystem services in India: Case Studies
Bhagirath Behera, Professor (Economics), Indian Institute of Technology
09:45 – 10:00Investment in nature: innovations in the GMS
Liu Guohua, Director, Sustainable Energy and Environment Department, Mekong Institute
10:00 – 10:15Market-based Yongding River Watershed Management for Ecological Protection and Economic Development
Qiao Shijiao,Young Professional, China Water Resources Beifang Investigation Design & Research Company (BIDR), MWR
10:15 – 10:30Tea break
10:30 – 10:45Green financing in agriculture and rural development: local experiences
Hu Faqiang, Deputy Director General, Huangshan Development and Reform Commission
10:45 – 11:00Water fund innovation in Qingshan Village, Zhejiang Province
Zhang Zhenwei, Vice Governor, Yuhang District, Hangzhou of Zhejiang Province
11:00 – 11:15Comprehensive eco-compensation schemes in Jiangkou
Yang Jian, Vice Governor, Jiangkou County, Guizhou Province
11:15 – 11:30Eco-compensation innovation in Shangarila
Ju Yandong, Mayor, Shangerila, Yunnan Province
11:30 – 11:50Closing Session
Chair: Li Xiaotao, DDG, Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission (BDRC)
11:30 – 12:00Closing Remarks

  • Sanath Ranawana, Director, Natural Capital and Climate, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office, ADB
  • Wang Xintong, Deputy Director General, Regional Revitalization Department, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
12:00 – 13:30Lunch and closing of conference
Time Program
13:30 – 17:45Final Review Workshop for (i) TA 6605-PRC: Yellow River Eco-Compensation Mechanism and (ii) TA 6945-PRC: Eco-Compensation Mechanism for Protected Areas with a Focus on National Parks Project
Venue: Venue: Meeting Room 1, Conference Hall
Mission Leader: Au Shion Yee; Analysts: Francesca Noelle Cimacio (TA 6605) and Daisy Gavina (TA 6945)
13:30 – 15:30TA 6605 presentation and discussion
15:30 – 15:45Coffee/Tea break
15:45 – 17:45TA 6945 presentation and discussion
Time Program
13:30 – 17:45Final Review Workshop for TA 6995-PRC: Research on Methane Emission Reduction in Agriculture
Venue: Venue: Meeting Room 2, Conference Hall
Mission Leader: Dustin Schinn; Analyst: Erika Joy Arcillas
Participants: MARA, ADB, Consultants, and invited representatives
13:30 – 15:30TA presentation and discussion
15:30 – 15:45Coffee/Tea break
15:45 – 17:45TA presentation and discussion / wrap-up

Innovative Financing for Ecological Protection and Restoration in the People’s Republic of China

Innovation-Driven Green Economic Diversification for Resource-Exhausted Cities in Heilongjiang Province

Echoes of Success: Case Studies in the Replication of Asian Development Bank Projects in the People’s Republic of China

4th CAREC Institute Annual Research Conference

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is proud to support the 4th Annual Research Conference of the CAREC Institute (CI), themed “Rethinking Development Strategies: Green, Innovative, and Inclusive Development for the CAREC Region.” This conference, co-organized by the College of Social Sciences and the China & Central Asia Studies Center at KIMEP University, along with the ADB-PRC Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative (RKSI), will take place on August 29-30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The ADB’s involvement underscores its commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive development in the CAREC region.

The primary objective of the conference is to connect research and policymaking, fostering regional development by systematically documenting policy-oriented research and creating narratives specific to the CAREC region. The event will showcase research findings, discuss their policy implications, and culminate in the publication of selected research in CI’s Annual Book and relevant journals.

By addressing regional developmental challenges, proposing innovative policy recommendations, and enhancing regional research cooperation, the conference aims to improve policy relevance and impact across the CAREC region. Comprehensive materials, including session details, speaker biographies, and presentation summaries, will be provided to all participants.

We look forward to your participation in this important event.

Agenda

TimeSession
9.15–10.00Registration/CI Video to be screened
10.00–11.00OPENING SESSION

Opening Remarks
Kabir Jurazoda, Director, CAREC Institute (CI)
Damian Riviez, Vice President of Academic Affairs, KIMEP University
Kadir Basboga, Senior Regional Integration& Trade Promotion Economist, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

Keynote address
Johannes F. Linn, Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

Group Photo
11.00–11.30Coffee break
11.30–13.00Parallel Session I: Energy/Renewable Energy/Sustainable Energy
Hall #1, 2nd floor


Moderator
Vladislav Zavadskiy, Senior Energy Expert, CI

Speakers:
  • Burulcha Sulaimanova, Dina Azhgaliyeva, Hans Holzhacker “House insulation: needs and willingness in Central Asia”
  • Qiong Zhang, Dina Azhgaliyeva “Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks: Total Cost of Ownership Analysis for the People’s Republic of China”
  • Ubaid ur Rehman Zia, Mahnoor Arshad, Zainab Babar “Sustainable Energy Transition in South Asia: Challenges and Emerging Opportunities through Regional Collaboration”
  • Hu Sheng, “PhotoSynthetic Refining: heavy oil slurry bed hydro-splitting full conversion technology”
  • Ramil Shakirov, “Electrical Digital Twin: Enabling Safety & Sustainability for today & future”, Schneider Electric

Discussant:
Ramil Shakirov, Head of the Training Center, Schneider Electric
Parallel Session II: Green Initiatives/Climate and Environment

Moderator
Asif Razzaq, Senior Research Specialist, CI

Speakers:
  • Falendra Kumar “Unlocking Innovative Governance Practices and Public-Private Financing for Achieving Sustainable Green Energy Transition in the CAREC Region: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications”
  • Hua Wang, Yingqing Lai, Yixin Yao “How Factors Affect Carbon Emission Price: Case Study of Beijing Carbon Emission Market”
  • Iskandar Abdullaev, Shakhboz Akhmedov “Water Security in Central Asia – Adaptation Strategies for Climate Resilience”
  • Ding Chen, “Dynamic connectedness between FDI, economic activity, energy consumption and CO2 emissions in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) countries: The mediating role of institutional quality”
  • Naseem Faraz, Ghulam Samad “Climate Debt and Sustainability: Implication for CAREC Region”
  • Anton Merkulov, “Smart integration of renewable power generation as a key factor of green initiatives implementation”, Siemens Kazakhstan

Discussant:
Shu (Grace) Tian, Senior Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADB
Parallel Session III: Trade/Connectivity/CorridorsTrade/Connectivity/Corridors

Moderator
Ghulam Samad, Chief of Research Division, CI

Speakers:
  • Yinghao He, Yueshu Zhao “The Economic Shadow of CBAM: Assessing Trade Impacts on Central Asia and the South Caucasus
  • Farrukh Khakimov “Digital Readiness of Central Asian States for Cross-Border Paperless Trade: A Study on Digital Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity”
  • Qaisar Abbas “Digital Trade, Economic Corridors Development: Need for Innovative Strategies”
  • Ali Raza Hanjra “Enhancing Port Competitiveness and Regional Trade in Pakistan along the CAREC Corridor: Role of the Government Support”

Discussant:
Xiaotong Zhang, Academic Director at China and Central Asia Studies Center (CCASC)
13.00–14.00Lunch
14:00–15.30Parallel Session IV: Inequality and Inclusivity

Moderator
Ilhom Abdulloev, Chief of Capacity Building Division, CI

Speakers:
  • Kuat Akizhanov “Addressing Socio-Economic Inequality in the CAREC Region: Why Non-Orthodox Approach Is Needed”
  • Kaliyeva Saule, Elvira Buitek “Competencies and Skills Essential for Green Jobs”
  • Emmanuel Umoru Haruna, Vincent Tawiah “Does Income Inequality endanger Green growth? Evidence from selected countries in Asia and the Global South”
  • Adeel Kadri “Breaking Chains: Informal Employment in CAREC and Escaping the Middle-Income Trap”
  • Madina Junussova, Saniya Soltybaeva, Bakhytzhan Kurmanov “Urban Economic Resilience in Central Asian Cities”


Discussant:
Alma Kudebayeva, KIMEP University
Parallel Session V: ADB-PRC RKSI
Evidence from the CAREC Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring Database


Moderator
Akiko Terada-Hagiwara, Principal Country Specialist, East Asia Department, ADB

Speakers:

  • Kijin Kim “The Impact of COVID-19 Mobility Restrictions on Trade Facilitation at Borders in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region”
  • Dorothea Ramizo “Impact of Non-Tariff Measures and Border Crossing Time and Costs on Trade in Perishable Goods in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region”
  • Kamalbek Karymshakov “Trade Facilitation, Infrastructure, and International Trade in Central Asian Countries”
  • Ghulam Samad “Geographical Proximity and Trade Impacts in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program Region”

Discussant:
Max Ee, CPMM consultant
Parallel Session VI: Innovation/innovative solutions

Moderator
Hans Holzhacker, Chief Economist, CI

Speakers:
  • Abylaikhan Soltanayev “Living Labs as Catalysts for Sustainable Energy Transition in Central Asia”
  • Kinza Malik “Modelling the Effect of FDI on Economic Growth in Central Asia: The Role of Digitalization”
  • Asif Razzaq “Does Artificial Intelligence Improve Green Transformation? Mechanism Analysis of China’s A-share Listed Companies and Implications for CAREC Ladder Countries”
  • Merdan Yazyyev “Innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises with a focus on energy efficiency, renewables, and digitalization”
  • Liu Bingcai “Evaluation of the Co-benefits and Trade-offs of Solar+ Projects and Their Prospects for Application in the CAREC Region”
  • Michiko Enomoto “Fostering Innovation and Development in Central Asia”

Discussant:
Nurgali Rakhmanov, President “Digital Society” NGO, S/GPP Policy Expert
15.30–16.00Coffee break
16.00–17.30Panel Session: Rethinking Development Strategies: Green, Innovative, and Inclusive Development for the CAREC region

  • Soo Hyun Kim, The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
  • Kadir Basboga, Senior Regional Integration & Trade Promotion Economist, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
  • Nadeem Naqvi, Professor of Economics, KIMEP University
    Marthe M. Hinojales, Senior Economist, AMRO+
  • Jang Ping Thia, Lead Economist and Manager of Economics Department
    Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
TimeSession
10.00–10.10Special Session
Introduction of the CAREC Institute Knowledge Products

  • Jingjing Huang, Deputy Director, CI
  • Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director, CI
10.10–10.30CI’s Book Launch “PROSPECTS FOR INCLUSIVE GREEN GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CAREC REGION”
  • Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director, CI
  • Ghulam Samad, Chief of Research Division, CI
10.30–11.00CI and UNESCAP Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation Report Launch
  • Soo Hyun Kim, The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
  • Ghulam Samad, Chief of Research Division, CI

Joint CAREC-PRC and Second ASEAN-PRC Digital Economy Workshop: Empowering Digital Future

The global economy is rapidly changing, driven by emerging technologies that promote resource efficiency, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. Digital technologies play a crucial role in this transformation, offering solutions to challenges like poverty, healthcare, job creation, and environmental protection. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital tools, demonstrating their potential to connect people and businesses even in crises.

The CAREC region, however, faces significant challenges in harnessing the benefits of the digital economy due to inadequate digital infrastructure and unclear regulations. To address these issues, the CAREC Secretariat, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and partnering with the CAREC Institute and UNESCAP, developed the CAREC Digital Strategy 2030. This strategy serves as a roadmap for accelerating digital transformation and unlocking the region’s potential.

The CAREC Institute, with support from ADB and other organizations, has conducted research and engaged policymakers in dialogues on digitalization. Recognizing the importance of digital economy, the People’s Republic of China has made significant strides, with its digital economy value reaching 6.5 trillion US dollars by 2021.

To further promote digital economy in the CAREC region, the CAREC Institute will collaborate with ADB, the CAREC Secretariat, and Chinese government entities to launch a capacity building program aimed at enhancing digital economy cooperation and promoting digital connectivity. This initiative aligns with the CAREC Digital Strategy’s vision and mission, seeking to equip member countries with the necessary tools and knowledge to realize the full potential of the digital economy for inclusive economic growth, social well-being, and enhanced regional competitiveness.

Agenda

20 May (Monday)
MorningOpening Ceremony
  • Zhoushan Jianghong, Vice President of Zhejiang University
  • Kabir Jurazoda, Director, CAREC Institute (Online)
  • Shuzhong Ma, Dean and Distinguished Qiu Shi Professor of the China Academy of Digital Trade at Zhejiang University

Moderator: Gong Sen, Director, Center for International Studies on Development and Governance (CiSDG), Zhejiang University
CAREC Digital Strategy 2030 (Online)
Dorothea Lazaro, Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist, ADB Central and West Asia Department

CAREC Digital Economy Development: challenges and policy recommendations
Rovshan Mahmudov, Senior Capacity Building Specialist, CAREC Institute
AfternoonPractice and Pathway in China’s Development of Digital Economy
Yuezhou Cai, Director and Researcher of the Digital Economy Research Office, Institute of Quantitative & Technical Economics at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
NightIce-breaking:

  • Participants will introduce themselves, express their expectations on the Workshop and raise their questions concerning digital economy.
  • Participants will be grouped, and each group will prepare for delivering a presentation on Day 12.
21 May (Tuesday)
MorningOn-site:
Zhejiang’s Information and Communication Infrastructure Construction
China Mobile (Zhejiang) Innovation Research Institute

China’s Information and Communication Infrastructure Construction: History and Experience
Jun Lei, Senior Project Expert and Senior Engineer of the Smart Home Operations Centre and Integrated Communication Systems Department of China Mobile Ltd
AfternoonThe Application of Metaverse Technology in the Digital Economy Era
Xuguang Zhang, President of the Zhejiang Association for Science, Technology and Innovation, Distinguished Researcher of the Intelligent Education Research Centre at Zhejiang University
NightThe New Generation of Artificial Intelligence: from AlphaGo to ChatGPT
Fei Wu, Director and Qiu Shi Distinguished Professor of Institute of Artificial Intelligence at Zhejiang University
22 May (Wednesday)
MorningOn-site:
Evolution towards Intelligent Education Transformation
Xianghu Future School and Hailiang Limited Co., Ltd.
AfternoonOn-site:
Metaverse Technology, Digital Collectibles and Global Distribution of Digital Content
Zhejiang Zoland Animation Co., Ltd.
NightPractices, Experiences and Challenges in the Development of Digital Economy in Asian, CAREC and ASEAN Economies
Yoonee Jeong, Senior Digital Tech Specialist (Digital Infra & Economy), Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD), ADB
23 May (Thursday)
MorningOn-site:
Cloud Computing: Current Landscape and Future Directions – From Emulation to Innovation
Alibaba Cloud Computing Co., Ltd. – Hangzhou Branch
AfternoonIntelligent Transformation of Manufacturing Industry
Wenge Liu, Dean and Professor of the School of International Economics and Politics at Liaoning University
24 May (Friday)
MorningOn-site:
3D+AI Tools for Propelling the Global Fashion Industry’s Digital and Innovative Evolution
Zhejiang Linctex Digital Technology Ltd.(Style3D)
AfternoonExemplary Cases of Intelligent System Design
Yongchuan Tang, Deputy Director of China Digital Creative Technology Equipment Innovation Industrial Alliance, Professor of the School of Computer Science and Technology at Zhejiang University
NightNetworking:
Global Digital Economic Cooperation, Digital Economic Development Opportunities and Digital Technology Solutions

(Arranged by the World Digital Economy Forum (WDEF), Hangzhou Digital Ecological Building and representative enterprises in the area of digital technology solutions)
25 May (Saturday)
DaytimeDigital Economy-focused Industry Tour to Shaoxing:
Enterprise Digital Transformation, Rural Livestream E-commerce and Traditional Culture
Zhejiang Toman Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd——Lunch——China Pearls and Jewelry International City——The China Shaoxing Wine Museum——Dinner
(Arranged by Shaoxing Council of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Shaoxing Chamber of International Commerce and representative enterprises in Shaoxing)
26 May (Sunday)
Off
27 May (Monday)
MorningDigitalization of Government Services for a Better Business Environment in China: A Case Study on the Reform Experience of Zhejiang Province
Wenting Wei, Private Sector Specialist, World Bank in China

The Construction Process of Digitalization of Government Services in Zhejiang
Yongsheng Shen, General Manager of Zhejiang Daily Digital Technology (Zhejiang) Co.,Ltd., General Manager of Hangzhou City Brain Co.,Ltd.
AfternoonOn-site:
Zhejiang’s Practice in Building a Digital Government: Hangzhou City Brain

Zhejiang’s Practice in Intelligent Industrial Transformation: Zhejiang Top Cloud-agri Technology Co., Ltd
28 May (Tuesday)
MorningSustainable Social Innovation and Governance of Digital Divide
Lijie Fang, Professor of the School of Social Research at the Renmin University of China
AfternoonConstructing Rules for an Opened Global Digital Economy System
Xianhai Huang, Changjiang Distinguished Professor and Vice President of Zhejiang University
NightNetworking:
Integration and Cooperation of Asian Civilisations in the Digital Age
(Arranged by Zhejiang University International Business School (ZIBS) and the International Campus of Zhejiang University)
29 May (Wednesday)
MorningFinancial Innovation in the Context of Digitalization – Micro Connect: The Wall Street for SMEs
Zhong Wu, Secretary-General of the Finance Center for South-South Cooperation, Senior Advisor of Micro Connect and Chairman of Hong Kong Oriental Patron Financial Group
AfternoonNetworking:
Global Trade of Cultural Goods and Services in the Digital Era
(Arranged by the 20th China International Cartoon & Animation Festival (CICAF), Zhejiang Digital Culture International Cooperation Zone and representative enterprises in the area of international cultural goods and services)
NightOn-site:
Digital Industry Investment and Live Streaming Economy
30 May (Thursday)
MorningOn-site:
Zhejiang’s Footprint in E-commerce: A Dive into the Corporate Ecosystem and Development Experiences
1688.com and Taobao of Alibaba Group
AfternoonDigital Transformation, Global FinTech Trends & Opportunities for Emerging Markets
Shenglin Ben, Dean and Professor of the International Business School, Director of the Fintech Research Institute at Zhejiang University
NightNetworking:
(Arranged by Zhejiang University International Business School (ZIBS), the International Campus of Zhejiang University and representative enterprises in Jiaxing)
31 May (Friday)
MorningExperiences and Practices in the Development of Digital Economy in CAREC and ASEAN Economies, Insights from the Workshop and Suggestions
Group Reports by the Workshop Participants
AfternoonConcluding Session and Commencement of the Workshop
Sen Gong, Director and Professor of the Centre for International Studies on Development and Governance at Zhejiang and Zhejiang University (CiSDG)
NightClosing Ceremony
  • Sen Gong, Director and Professor of the Centre for International Studies on Development and Governance at Zhejiang and Zhejiang University (CiSDG)
  • Akiko Terada-Hagiwara, Principal Country Specialist, East Asia Department, ADB
  • Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two, CAREC Institute ASEAN Secretariat
1 June (Saturday)
DaytimeDigital Economy-focused Industry Tour to Yiwu
  • Participants will explore the Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co., Ltd., and other digital economy infrastructure projects.
  • Participants will also explore the eWTP Public Service Platform and the integrated online-offline services of the China Goods digital trade platform to gain insights into the opportunities and challenges that Yiwu’s procurement and trade industry faces in the digital era.
2 June (Sunday)
Off

East Asia Forum 2024

This year’s East Asia Forum (EAF) will explore ways the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and ADB can foster partnerships in addressing regional challenges related to climate change with a special interest in promoting global and regional public goods in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs).

The Forum has four sessions. The first explores strategic ways the PRC and ADB can further evolve their partnership in tackling regional challenges including climate change. The second and third focus on two critical parts of climate as public goods and explore best practices for promoting them. Specifically, Session 2 focuses on nature conservation and ecosystem protection, and how instruments like nature-debt swaps can be a viable financing instrument to help DMCs meet their commitments to conserve 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. Session 3 centers on addressing climate mitigation through accelerating the energy transition from fossil fuel powered energy to clean energy, drawing on international practices related to energy policy, investments, and transition financing. The fourth session discusses how artificial intelligence can support addressing regional challenges. Specifically, it looks at emerging best practices in strategy, policy, and regulation to enhance the potential benefits of AI while mitigating its potential costs.   

Each session will comprise a keynote speaker setting the context and regional challenges and followed by an interactive panel discussion comprising of distinguished experts.

In addition to the four sessions, ADB will also launch its publication “Echoes of Success: Case Studies in the Replication of Asian Development Bank Projects in the People’s Republic of China“. The report presents five ADB-financed projects in the PRC that have been replicated within and outside the PRC.

Venue: Grand Ballroom 2, Kerry Hotel, 1 Guang Hua Road, Beijing.

Browse the program and biographies here

Download the presentations here

Agenda

Date/TimeSession
8.30-9.00Registration
9.00-9.15Opening Messages

Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific), ADB
Weihua Liu, Executive Director, ADB
9.15-10.451. The PRC and ADB Partnership for the Asia and Pacific Region

Chair: Guan Xin, Anchor and Chief Editor, Business News Department, China Global Television Network (CGTN)

Presentation:
ADB-PRC Country Partnership
Safdar Parvez, Country Director, ADB Resident Mission in the PRC

The PRC-ADB Strengthening Cooperation to Tackle Regional Challenges
Yiping Huang, Dean, National School of Development, Peking University

Panel Discussion: Creating Partnerships for Addressing Regional Challenges
  • Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific), ADB
  • Weihua Liu, Executive Director, ADB
  • Beate Trankmann, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme in the PRC
  • Ayumi Konishi, Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance
  • Yao Wang, Director General, International Institute of Green Finance

Q&A
10.45-11.00Break
11.00-12.302. Nature Conservation as a Regional Public Good

Chair: Duncan Lang, Senior Environment Specialist, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD), ADB

Presentation:
Good International Practices on Strategies for Conserving Nature
Mingjia Yuan, The Nature Conservancy Beijing Representative Office

Considerations on Debt for Nature Swaps
Nicole Arditti, Global Sovereign Advisory

Panel Discussion: How Can We Leverage Financing Instruments to Meet the Global Conservation Goal of 30% of Land and Marine Resources Protected by 2030?
  • Ye Wang, Deputy Section Chief, Foreign Economic Cooperation Office, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the PRC
  • Han Chen, Senior Researcher, Green Belt and Road Center, International Institute of Green Finance, Central university of Finance and Economics, the PRC
  • Mingjia Yuan, The Nature Conservancy, Beijing Representative Office
  • Nicole Arditti, Global Sovereign Advisory
  • Luo Wang, Director, Institute of International Development Cooperation, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, the PRC

Q&A
12.30-14.00Lunch
14.00-15.303. Energy Transition as a Global Public Good

Chair: Toru Kubo, Senior Director, Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment, CCSD, ADB

Presentation: International Practices for Accelerating the Energy Transition
Andrew Jeffries, Advisor, Energy Transition Mechanism and Partnerships, Sector Group, ADB

Panel Discussion: Creating Partnerships for Advancing the Energy Transition in ADB’s Developing Member Countries
  • Yanmei Cui, Deputy General Manager, Client and Credit Management Department, Export-Import Bank of China
  • Edo Mahendra, Special Advisor to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Indonesia, and Chairperson of Indonesia Energy Transition Implementation Joint Office
  • Junjie Kang, Deputy Director, Climate Change and Energy Transition Program, Institute of Energy, Peking University
  • Helmut Fischer, Executive Director, ADB
  • Yihan Hao, Principal, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) China Program
  • Andrew Jeffries, Advisor, Energy Transition Mechanism and Partnerships, Sector Group, ADB

Q&A
15.30-17.004. Artificial Intelligence: Emerging Global Best Practices in Strategy, Policy, and Regulation

Chair: Ozzeir Khan, Director, Information and Technology Department (ITD), ADB

Presentation: Setting the Context
Stephanie Hung, Director General, ITD, ADB

Panel Discussion: How AI Can Be Supportive in Tackling Regional Challenges
  • Stephanie Hung, Director General, Information and Technology Department, ADB
  • Chen Hui Ong, Assistant Chief Executive (Business-Technology Group), Infocomm and Media Development Authority of Singapore
  • Talal Ikhwan, Head, KPMG Digital Village, Singapore
  • Xudong Chen, Chairman and General Manager of IBM, Greater China Group
  • Zheng Liang, Deputy Director, China Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Tsinghua University

Q&A
17.00-17.05Closing Remarks

Muhammad Ehsan Khan, Director General, East Asia Department, ADB
17.05-17.20Break
17.20-17.50Publication Launch: “Echoes of Success: Case Studies in the Replication of Asian Development Bank Projects in the People’s Republic of China”

Messages from:
Scott Morris, Vice President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific), ADB
Xi Zhang, Executive Director and General Manager, Shaanxi Financial Holding Development Investment Management Co., Ltd.
All dayResults Reality Booth
Showcasing ADB projects in the PRC in augmented and virtual reality
18.30-20.30Dinner
09.00-18.00Field Visit to Project Site
Tianjin Dongli Biomass Energy and Comprehensive Waste Treatment Subproject, Dongli District, Tianjin Municipality

ADB and UNDRR Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR 2030) City-to-City Learning Forum on Developing Urban Disaster Resilience

Cities and urban communities around Asia and the Pacific are facing an era of unprecedented uncertainty, with climate-induced disasters becoming more frequent, intense, and unpredictable. Over the past three decades, extreme weather events have accounted for 90% of all disasters, posing significant threats to urban areas through intensified storms, coastal flooding, deadly heatwaves, water shortages, and prolonged droughts. At the same time, local authorities face other systems-wide crises, in terms of water, food, and energy security. The Political Declaration of the midterm review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in May 2023 reiterates the extreme challenges to hand and conveys a deep concern that the pace of implementation is not sufficient or equal. The gaps at the local and urban level are particularly large.

In response to these challenges, municipalities across Asia Pacific are scaling up their ambitions and actions on disaster resilience to protect their citizens and local infrastructure assets and systems. The Political Declaration of the midterm review of the Sendai Framework calls for scaled up support and action at the local level, urging countries to:

  • Support and enable all local authorities to have disaster risk reduction strategies and local platforms for disaster risk reduction, or similar mechanisms, in place;
  • Ensure the provision of financial assistance, technical support, and capacity development to strengthen local multi-hazard risk governance and local government leadership on disaster risk reduction;
  • Promote local ownership through community-based disaster risk management approaches and whole-of-society engagement; and
  • Promote exchanges and peer learning between cities through increased participation in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative.

Agenda

TimeProgram
08:00 – 09:00Registration
09:00 – 09:10Opening Remarks
Norio Saito
, Senior Director, Water and Urban Development Sector Office, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Office Incheon, United Nation Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) (Online speaker)
09:10 – 10:40Theme 1: Showcasing Urban Solutions – SDGs in Action at the Municipality Level

Moderator: Mr Andy McElroy
, Global Coordinator MCR2030, UNDRR

Speakers:
Ms Deborah C. Dacanay, Head of Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office, Philippines – Quezon City Community Inclusive Disaster Preparedness Interventions (SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities)
Ms Susana Sousa Gonçalves, Director of Civil Protection Matosinhos, Portugal – Putting Communities at the Heart of Resilience Action (SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Ms Sung Ah An, Public Officer, Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea – How Incheon Effectively Manages Increasing Heatwave Risk (SDG 13 Climate Action)

Q&A session
10:40 – 10:55Coffee Break
10:55 – 12:25Theme 2: Financing Urban Disaster Resilience

Moderator: Mr Jinqiang Chen, Urban Development Specialist (Climate Change), Water and Urban Development Sector Office, ADB

Speakers:
Ms Liza Ramos, Research and Planning Division Head, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Makati City, Philippines – How is Makati Developing Innovative Financing Options for Resilience (Online speaker)
Ms Jazlyn Lee, Engagement Lead for Southeast Asia & South Asia, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and the Gap Fund Partnership – Empowering Cities to Transform Climate Ideas into Action through the City Climate Finance Gap Fund
Mr Thomas Kessler, Principal Finance Specialist (Disaster Insurance), ADB – Building Climate and Disaster Resilient Cities – Risk Management, Financing and Insurance

Q&A session
12:25 – 12:30Group Photo
12:30 – 14:00Networking lunch
14:00 – 15:30Theme 3: Learning from MCR2030 Resilience Hubs

Moderator: Mr Alessandro Attolico
, Executive Director of the Territorial Planning and Civil Protection Office at the Province of Potenza, Italy

Speakers:
Dr Kathy Oldham OBE
, Chief Resilience Officer, Greater Manchester, the UK – How Greater Manchester Works with Nature as Part of Flood Risk Management (Online speaker)
Mr Jieyong Luo, Resilient City Officer for the City of Zhuji, PRC – Building a Resilient River City – Zhuji’s Practice in Governing and Transforming Puyang River to Enhance Flood Resistance
Mr Stefan Wagner, Head of the Department of International Affairs and Global Sustainability, City of Bonn, Germany – Connecting the Green Agenda from National to Local Level (Online speaker)

Q&A session
15:30 – 16:00Coffee break
16:00 – 18:00Theme 4: Learning from Asian Development Bank

Moderator: Ms Jingmin Huang, Director
, Water and Urban Development Sector Office, ADB

Speakers:
Mr Khen Sopheak
, Deputy Director of Inter-Sectoral Division of Kep Provincial Hall, Cambodia – City-to-City Partnership on Resilient City Development
Ms Yingxia Xie, Former Vice President, Professor, China Academy of Urban Planning and Design – Urban Resilience Evaluation Method and Index System
Ms Arpita Mozumder, Assistant Engineer, Planning Unit, Local Government Engineering Department, Bangladesh – Coastal Towns Climate Resilience Project in Bangladesh
Mr Ming Hu, Senior Engineer, Director of Movement Control Office, Fuzhou Urban Water System Joint Drainage and Coordination Centre – One Center Manages the Entire City, Digitization Ensures Safety: Innovative Practices of the Fuzhou Water System’s Coordinated Management Mechanism

Q&A session
18:00 – 20:30Networking dinner
TimeProgram
09:00 – 10:30Theme 5: Strengthening National-Local Coordination

Moderator: Ms Susana Sousa Gonçalves
, Director of Civil Protection Matosinhos, Portugal

Speakers:
Mr Alessandro Attolico
, Executive Director of the Territorial Planning and Civil Protection Office at the Province of Potenza, Italy – Long Term Strategy for Effective Risk Governance
Mr Aslan Kandygulov, Director of the Center, Urban Environmental Sustainability Center, Astana, Kazakhstan – Resilience Action Plan for a 21st Century City
Mr Ali Ahmed, Deputy Mayor, Kulhudhuffushi City Council, Maldives – Strengthening Local Capacity with MCR2030: A City’s Sustainable Approach to Building Resilience

Q&A session
10:30 – 10:45Coffee break
10:45 – 12:15Theme 6: Identifying solutions to major urban disaster resilience challenges

Moderator: Ms Deborah C. Dacanay
, Head Persons with Disability Affairs Office, Philippines

Speakers:
Mr Hee Jong Kim
, Director Ulsan Research Institute, Republic of Korea – Forging Multisector City Partnerships for Resilience
Mr Thayukorn Prabamroong, Director of Climate Change, Mitigation, Adaptation Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Thailand – How the Thai Network for Disaster Resilience of 17 Universities Supports Local Governments to Reduce Disaster Risk
Ms Sofia Karma, Dr Chemical Engineer, Academic Staff National Technical University of Athens, Greece, Director of the European Center for Forest Fires, EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement/Council of Europe – Recommendations for Managing Urban Heatwaves and for Inclusivity in Disaster Preparedness and Response

Q&A session
12:15 – 13:30Networking lunch
13:30 – 15:00Orientation: Disaster Resilience Scorecard Assessments for Cities

Introduction:
Orientation on two new self-assessment tools to understand capacities and gaps in terms of climate resilience and early warning systems.

Group work: Participants will split into two groups and try out one of the tools.

Plenary feedback: Participants will share feedback on their discussions and potential deeper dive follow-ups with individual cities will be discussed.
15:00 – 15:15Coffee break
15:15 – 17:15Final Session: Moving Forward on Urban Resilience in Asia

Moderators:
Mr Andy McElroy,
Global Coordinator MCR2030, UNDRR
Mr Jinqiang Chen, Urban Development Specialist (Climate Change), Water and Urban Development Sector Office, ADB
Mr Xijie Lu, Urban Development Specialist, Water and Urban Development Sector Office, ADB

-This moderated session will be a focused group discussion to identify priority areas for collaboration & collective commitment to ensure follow-up action on urban disaster resilience.
-How can MCR2030 Resilience Hubs, Asian Development Bank, and cities work better together to strengthen urban disaster resilience – what plans/commitments can be made?
-What kind of support is required to deliver on these plans/commitments?
17:15 – 17:20Closing Remarks: Ms Jingmin Huang, Director, Water and Urban Development Sector Office, ADB
18:00 – 20:30Networking dinner
TimeProgram
09:00 – 12:30Site visit to Guangxi Polytechnic of Construction
– The Introduction of Guangxi Polytechnic of Construction, current status and the achievements of the Resilient Cities Development Research Center, Urban Renewal Research Center (Habitat Building Research Center)
– Campus visit
– Lunch at school cafeteria
12:30 – 14:00Back to hotel
14:00 – 17:50Site visit to Guangxi Institute of Safety and Technology
– Visit the emergency service station in Xingdong Community, Nanning
– Visit Guangxi Institute of Safety and Technology
17:50 – 20:30Networking dinner

Shaanxi Qinling Biodiversity Conservation and Demonstration Project

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