Overview

Themed "Digital Technology for Transformation," the Asia Pacific Digital Transformation Forum 2025 aims to help emerging economies leapfrog into digitally transformed nations, through the systematic adoption of digital fundamentals – best practice policy and regulation, investments in digital and data infrastructure, robust cybersecurity and data protection safeguards – and digital accelerators including digital public infrastructure and digital government solutions, innovative and emerging technologies, and digital skills development.

The forum will feature (i) a Closed-Door Ministerial Meeting with representatives from a number of ADB DMCs. (ii) a joint ministerial statement on the importance of Digital Transformation for development (iii) a range of digital and cross-sectoral plenaries, (iv) a Hackathon, and (v) digital solution exhibits. Participants will be able to join training sessions, a field visit, and networking receptions. The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) will partner with ADB to support the Ministerial Meeting, while the CAREC Ministers Meeting and the Digital Steering Committee Meeting will be held on the sidelines.

Asia Pacific Digital Transformation Forum 2025

Pre-events: A welcome reception will be held on 24 June for all participants, including ADB staff, delegates from developing member countries (DMCs), and exhibitors, who will also be setting up their booths on the same day.

25 June: The forum will begin with an opening plenary, featuring ADB's welcome remarks, keynote speeches, and a tech trailblazer panel discussion. This will be followed by sessions on digital and data infrastructure for AI and the Impact and Governance of AI for Development. In the afternoon, there will be a closed-door ministerial meeting where ministers and ADB staff will discuss sustainable and inclusive digital approaches and solutions. The main objective of the first day is to foster high-level dialogue and regional collaboration on advancing digital transformation in Asia and the Pacific, with a focus on understanding the challenges of developing economies, forming a consensus on the importance of digital transformation and building strategic partnership.
The first day will conclude with a joint declaration highlighting the importance of Digital Transformation.

26 June: The second day’s sessions will highlight digital technology's role in addressing development challenges. Focus areas are space and satellite technology, digital public infrastructure (DPI), cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, digital skills, and digital policy and regulation for sustainable and inclusive digital transformation. The objective of the second day is to explore innovative digital solutions and policy frameworks that can effectively respond to pressing development needs, while fostering cross-sectoral collaboration.

Throughout day 1 and day 2 of the conference, attendees are encouraged to network in the Digital Tech & Innovation Marketplace. Also, special networking lounges and meeting rooms will be available for sponsors, guests, and dignitaries to discuss potential collaborations.

Post-Events: On 27 June, there will be training on cybersecurity by the National Cryptologic Center, and on digital public infrastructure by the Center for Digital Public Infrastructure. The two training courses aim to deepen the understanding of senior leadership from DMCs and ADB on core elements of digital ID, digital payment, and data exchange. On 28 June, there will be a field visit for DMC government officials to learn about the IT industry in the Philippines.

Tech Exchange: Meet & Network with ADB Staff (Pre-Event / Invitation Only)

A digital tech exchange is a pre-event open to private companies partnering with ADB for the forum. This will allow event partners and sponsors to showcase their latest tech innovations and solutions directly to ADB staff. This networking event aims to foster connections, promote knowledge exchange, and explore opportunities for collaboration between ADB and its digital technology partners.

Tech Trailblazer Panel

The Tech Trailblazer Panel will discuss digital transformation in Asia and the Pacific with insights from public and private sector leaders. It will present ADB's vision, strategy, and approach to regional digital transformation. The panel aims to highlight opportunities, share lessons, and inspire collaboration for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

Closed-Door Ministerial Meeting

Closed-Door Ministerial Meeting is co-organized by ADB, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). This meeting will convene decision-makers from ADB member economies, public and private partners, to explore digital solutions and innovative financing for digital transformation projects. The objective is to enhance regional cooperation on digital development and share best practices.

Declarations

ADB Digital Sector Office will take the opportunity to showcase strategic partnerships with key regional and global organizations working towards inclusive, prosperous, sustainable and resilient digital transformation in Asia and the Pacific. It aims to improve our visibility and showcase our collaborative approach to delivering high quality projects.

Digital Tech & Innovation Marketplace

The forum will feature a Digital Tech & Innovation Marketplace, presenting technological solutions from various governments and private sector entities. The marketplace aims to display innovative digital solutions that address challenges in DMCs and facilitate networking and discussions among participants and ADB HQ staff. The marketplace is planned for 25 to 26 June, with booths positioned inside ADB’s auditorium 1 and 2. Please also change the description on the agenda tab from "ADB's hallway" to auditorium 1 and 2.

Google-ADB Solutions Challenge 2025

Google and ADB will organize a Solutions Challenge to address issues in Agriculture, Transport, Disaster Risk Response, Education, and Healthcare. The challenge is designed to train future developers to create solutions for real-world problems using AI technology; share inspiring stories with external parties such as policymakers and the media; position Asia and the Pacific as a hub for innovation; and enhance the collaboration between ADB and Google for future initiatives. Over 1,872 students registered by early April and will form teams of 4. Ten finalist teams will present their solutions at ADB Headquarters. The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 25th.

Agenda

June 24, 2025

05:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Staff Hub

Welcome Reception

June 25, 2025

08:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Innovation Hub

Google Solution Challenge

08:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Auditorium Halls 1 & 2

Digital Tech and Innovation Market Place & Digital Public Infrastructure Experience Center

08:00 AM - 8:30 AM

ADB Main Entrance

Registration

08:30 AM - 8:40 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Welcome Remarks

Welcome Remarks | Fatima Yasmin, Vice-President for Sectors and Themes, Asian Development Bank

08:40 AM - 8:50 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Keynote I

Keynote I | Video by Daiho Fujii, Deputy Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Japan

08:50 AM - 9:00 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Keynote II

Keynote II | Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General, Commonwealth
Telecommunications Organisation

09:00 AM - 9:10 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Leader Opener

Leader Opener I Albert F. Park, Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact, Asian Development Bank

09:10 AM - 9:15 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Our Shared Digital Future

Our Shared Digital Future | Video Remarks by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union

09:15 AM - 9:45 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Tech Trailblazer Panel

Tech Trailblazer Panel
Introduction: Antonio Garcia Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Moderator: Sharanjit Leyl, former producer/presenter for the BBC
Panel Structure:

Stephanie KC Hung, Director General, Information Technology Department, Asian Development Bank

Mei Lin Fung, Emeritus Chair and Co-founder, People Centered Internet

Garry Sien, Chief Solutions Architect of Global Financial Services Solution, Alibaba Cloud

Closing: Antonio Garcia Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank

09:45 AM - 10:15 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Break and Networking

Break and Networking: Partner Announcements

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Building the Digital Backbone: Financing, Governing, and Securing Digital and Data Infrastructure for an AI-Enabled Economy

Building the Digital Backbone: Financing, Governing, and Securing Digital and Data Infrastructure for an AI-Enabled Economy
Scene Setter and Moderator: Yoonee Jeong, Senior Digital Technology Specialist (Digital Infra & Economy), Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Panel Structure:

Anuar Fariz Fadzil, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Malaysia

Jackie Surtani, Regional Director, ADB Singapore Office, Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank

Rahul Shah, Mobile for Development (M4D) Director, APAC, Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA)

Rafael “Pepeng” Rollan, Managing Director, Oracle, Philippines/ Member of Asia Cloud Computing Association

Yushi Nagano, Head of JICA DXLab, JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency

11:30 AM - 12:40 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Harnessing AI for Development: Pathways to Impact and Enabling Environment

Harnessing AI for Development: Pathways to Impact and Enabling Environment
Use Cases:

Overview of AI’s cross-sector impact and real-world applications of AI in ADB’s operations

National pathways and key considerations for accelerating the safe and inclusive adoption of AI in DMCs

Presenter/Moderator: Byeongjo Kong, Digital Technology Specialist (AI and Data Analytics), Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Panel Structure:

Adrienne Heinrich, Head, AI Center of Excellence, UnionBank of the Philippines; and AI Advisor, Aboitiz Data Innovation

Kadra Saeed, Principal IT Specialist (Digital Products Lead), Digital Development Operations Division, Information Technology Department, Asian Development Bank

Bui Thanh Hang, Manager, Innovation Communication & International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology, Viet Nam

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Digital Economy, Digital Economy Unit, Government of Sri Lanka

12:40 PM - 2:00 PM

EDR / MFH3

Lunch Break

Lunch Break | Finalists Showcase: Google Challenge

02:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Multi-Function Hall 1

Digital Transformation and Digital Risk Mitigation: Roundtable discussion among Private Sectors

Digital Transformation and Digital Risk Mitigation: Roundtable discussion among Private Sectors
(By Invitation Only)
Moderators: Puru Trivedi, Vice President of External and Corporate Affairs, Meridian International Center and Yoonee Jeong, Senior Digital Technology Specialist (Digital Infra & Economy), Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank

02:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Multi-Function Hall 2

Advancing Digital Public Infrastructure: Roundtable discussion with strategic partners

Advancing Digital Public Infrastructure: Roundtable discussion with strategic partners
(By Invitation Only)
Moderator: Carolyn Florey, Digital Development Specialist, Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank

02:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Digital Bridge Policy Dialogue: High-Level Officials Meeting

Digital Bridge Policy Dialogue: High-Level Officials Meeting
(Open to Government Officials and ADB Staff only)

02:00 PM - 2:05 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Welcome Remarks

Welcome Remarks | Shigeo Shimizu, Executive Director for Japan, Board of Directors, Asian Development Bank

02:05 PM - 2:10 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks | Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

02:10 PM - 2:15 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Opening Remarks | Representative, CAREC

02:15 PM - 2:20 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Opening Remarks | Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary- General, International Telecommunication Union

Opening Remarks | Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union

02:20 PM - 2:30 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Group Photo

02:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Keynote Presentation

Keynote Presentation – Trends in Digital Sector in Asia and the Pacific | Raul Katz, President of Telecom Advisory Services

03:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Roundtable Discussion

Roundtable Discussion | Moderator:Antonio Garcia Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank

04:30 PM - 4:50 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Coffee Break

04:50 PM - 5:50 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Feedback from the Roundtable discussion with Private Sector & Strategic Partners

Feedback from the Roundtable discussion with Private Sector & Strategic Partners | Presenter(s): Yoonee Jeong, Senior Digital Technology Specialist (Digital Infra & Economy), Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank; Carolyn Florey, Digital
Development Specialist, Digital Sector Office, ADB; and Puru Trivedi, Vice President of External and Corporate Affairs, Meridian International Center

05:50 PM - 6:00 PM

Auditorium Halls 3 & 4

Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks | Osamu Inami, Deputy Director, Multilateral Development Banks Division, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Japan

06:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Staff Hub

Networking Reception

June 26, 2025

09:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Innovation Hub / Auditorium Halls 1 & 2

Google Solution Challenge / Market Place & Digital Public Infrastructure Experience Center

Google Solution Challenge / Digital Tech and Innovation Market Place & Digital Public Infrastructure Experience Center

09:00 AM - 9:05 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Opening Remark | Bruce Gosper, Vice President, Administration and Corporate Management, ADB

Opening Remark | Bruce Gosper, Vice President, Administration and Corporate Management, Asian Development Bank

09:05 AM - 9:10 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Keynote | Raul Katz, President, Telecom Advisory Services

09:10 AM - 10:20 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Geospatial Technologies for a Sustainable Future: Leveraging Satellites, IoT and Cloud Processing

Geospatial Technologies for a Sustainable Future: Leveraging Satellites, IoT and Cloud Processing
Use Case: Geospatial data Infrastructure for development
Opening: Eric Quincieu, Principal Water Resources Specialist; Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office; Asian Development Bank
Moderator: Paolo Manunta, Senior Digital Technology Specialist (Earth Observation), Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Panel Structure:

Osamu Ochiai, Director, Earth Observation Research Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)(video)

Atsushi Yamanaka, Senior Advisor, Digital Transformation, Japan International Cooperation Agency

Manzul Kumar Hazarika, Director, Geoinformatics Center, Asian Institute of Technology

Asuka Wachi, Manager, Customer Engineering, Business Department, Synspective. Inc.

Nerses Yeritsyan, Director, Information Systems Agency of Armenia

Jayadi Jayadi, Director for Development, Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS)

10:20 AM - 10:50 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Break and Networking

Break and Networking (Digital Tech & Innovation Marketplace)

10:50 AM - 12:10 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Digital Public Infrastructure: Building Foundations for Inclusive Development

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Building Foundations for Inclusive Development
Moderator: Carolyn M. Florey, Digital Development Specialist, Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Presenter: Steven Matainaho, Secretary, Department of ICT, Government of Papua New Guinea: DPI Building Blocks for PNG’s
Digital Transformation
Panel Structure:

Steven Matainaho, Secretary, Department of ICT, Government of Papua New Guinea

Lindsey Crumbaugh, Chief Investments Officer, Codevelop

Swetha Kolluri, Senior Program Officer, Gates Foundation

Max Cuvellier, Head of Mobile Development, GSMA

Vijay Vujjini, Chief Technology Officer, Center for Digital Public Infrastructure

12:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Executive Dining Room

Lunch Break

Lunch Break | TBD – Exhibitor Showcase

01:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Multi-Function Hall 1

Parallel Session: Special CAREC High-Level Meeting on CAREC Digital Strategy 2030 Midterm Review (By Invitation Only)

Parallel Session: Special CAREC High-Level Meeting on CAREC Digital Strategy 2030 Midterm Review (MTR)
Chaired by the Kyrgyz Republic as the 2025 Country Chair of CAREC Program
Moderator: Antonio Garcia Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank

01:30 PM - 2:40 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Cybersecurity Needs: Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Title: Cybersecurity Needs: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Use Cases:

Presentation on the case from Japan; and

Presentation on lessons learned from global case studies, the introduction of tool kit

Moderator: Masatake Yamamichi, Digital Development Specialist (Cybersecurity and Data Privacy), Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Panel Structure:

Mr. Takashi Michikata, Director, Office of the Director-General for Cybersecurity, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

Aistė Aurelija Azbytė, Cybersecurity Specialist, Norway Registers Development AS

Cindy Tiangco, Director (Emerging Areas Team), Energy Sector Office, Asian Development Bank

02:40 PM - 3:00 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Break and Networking

03:00 PM - 4:10 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Empowering the Future Workforce: Addressing the Gender Digital Skills Gaps for Tomorrow's Challenges

Empowering the Future Workforce: Addressing the Gender Digital Skills Gaps for Tomorrow’s Challenges
Welcome Remarks:
Samantha Hung, Director, CCGE, ADB
Tackling gender divide for the future workforce
Lightning Talks:

Lightning Talk 1. Leading from Within: ADB’s Digital Leadership Program: Carolyn Dedolph Cabrera, Principal IT Specialist, ITD, ADB: Building internal capacity to champion inclusive digital innovation

Lightning Talk 2. Upskilling for the Future of Work: Angela Chen Delantar, Eskwelabs and Wadhwani Foundation (Pre-recorded): Eskwelabs' approach to digital skills building

Lightning Talk 3. Learning for Equity: Talitha Amalia, Chief Operating Officer, Solve Education! (Pre-recorded): How Solve Education! empowers girls and boys

Moderator: Jinha Kim, Gender Specialist (Climate Change), Gender Equality Division, Asian Development Bank
Panel Structure:

Emmanuel Pillai, Head, ASEAN - Education & Training Amazon Web Services (AWS)

HE Chea Ratha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia

Paulina Pannen, Senior Expert, Indonesia Cyber Education Institute, Universitas Terbuka

04:10 PM - 4:30 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Break and Networking

Break and Networking (Digital Tech & Innovation Marketplace)

04:30 PM - 5:40 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Navigating Digital Policy and Regulation in the Digital Age

Navigating Digital Policy and Regulation in the Digital Age
Use Case: Comparative analysis of digital policy and regulatory approaches in the region
Moderator: Saad Paracha, Senior Public Sector Specialist, Public Sector Management and Governance Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
Presenter: Mohammad Chowdhury, CEO, Longstreet Advisors
Building a robust digital policy framework for digital transformation
Panel Structure:

Alexandru Oprunenco, Innovation Advisor, United Nations Development Programme UNDP

Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka/ICTA Chair

Nazgul Bazhayeva, Director, Department of Smart Cities, Ministry of Digital Development Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Tahani Iqbal, Digital Development Specialist, Digital Sector Office, Asian Development Bank

05:40 PM - 6:00 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Google Solutions Challenge Awards Ceremony

06:00 PM - 6:10 PM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Closing and Wrap Up

Closing and Wrap Up | F. Cleo Kawawaki, Director General, Sectors Department 2 concurrently Head, Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership, Asian Development Bank

June 27, 2025

08:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Multi-Function Hall 1

CTO Ministerial Meeting

08:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Auditorium Hall 2

Joint Learning Sessions

Joint Learning Sessions
(Open to DMC participants and ADB Staff Only)

08:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Auditorium Hall 3 & 4

Enabling Development Through Measurable Impact: People, Data, and Finance

Enabling Development Through Measurable Impact: People, Data, and Finance
Moderator: Madhavi Pundit, Senior Economist, Macroeconomics Research Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, Asian Development Bank
Discussant: Lu Shen, Director, Results Management and Aid Effectiveness Division, Strategy, Policy and Partnerships Department, Asian Development Bank
Panel Structure:

Toshihiro Akema, Japan Exchange Group(JPX)

Professor Masahiro Fukuhara, Institution for a Global Society Corporation(IGS)

Vorapitchaya Rabiablok, Vice President, Data Analytics Services Division, Big Data Institute (Public Organization), Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Thailand

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Break and Networking

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Auditorium Hall 1

Strategic Cybersecurity

Strategic Cybersecurity
Facilitators:

Ignacio Briones Martínez, National Cryptologic Center Spain

Beatriz Casado Blanco, National Cryptologic Center Spain

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Executive Dining Room

Lunch Break / Presentation on Index by Raul Katz

02:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Auditorium Hall 1

Principles and Foundations of Digital Public Infrastructure

Principles and Foundations of Digital Public Infrastructure
Facilitators:

Fithya Findie, Chief Technology Officer, Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI)

Vijay Vujjin, Head of Program/ Country Operations, Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI)

Vineet Bhandari, Senior Technical Architect, Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI))

Anusree Jayakhrisnan, Country Operations Advisor (Asia), Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI)

Exhibitors

Keith de Alvis, OpenCRVS

Michel Mouchiroud, OpenSPP

Vinoth Kumar Jeganathan, Head - Ecosystem & Academy, OpenG2P

Rose Ann Zuniga, Account Manager, Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP)

Micaela Reyes, Program Coordinator, Ateneo Technical Resource Lab (TRL)

Aung Thaw Aye, CTO, Mojaloop

Taylor Downs, OpenFN

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