Asia's Developing Future

Cutting-edge technology alone can’t solve the existing and emerging issues of water resources management. That’s why in this episode of Asia’s Developing Future we delve into the key role culture has in tackling water scarcity, promoting conservation and ensuring successful, sustainable water resources projects. Featuring insights from Yoonjin Kim, Director of Strategy and Development of the World Water Council, and Victor Shinde, Head of the Climate Center for Cities at the National Center of Urban Affairs in New Delhi, don’t miss this essential discussion on incorporating tradition with innovation.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

By 2050, the global number of persons above 65 years old will double to over 1.5 billion, according to the United Nations, and Asia will continue to have the largest share of the world’s aged population.

In this podcast, Waseda University Associate Professor, Upalat Korwatanasakul provides an overview of demographic transition and its effects on fiscal balance in Asia. He also examines ways to enhance fiscal space against pension as well as how fiscal sustainability can be achieved in economies at varying demographic stages.

Script: adbi.me/3FTV1LJ

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

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

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