24–27 June 2025 — ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines
The Asia Pacific Digital Transformation Forum 2025 opened today at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters in Manila, bringing together government officials, development partners, industry leaders, and technology innovators to discuss how digital technologies can drive inclusive and sustainable development across the Asia‑Pacific region.
Hosted by the ADB in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance of Japan, and with support from organizations including the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, the forum is framed around the theme “Digital Technology for Transformation.”
In her opening remarks, Fatima Yasmin, Vice‑President for Sectors and Themes at ADB, underscored the bank’s commitment to helping emerging economies adopt digital solutions that can enhance economic growth, improve public services, and foster innovation. A keynote message from Daiho Fujii, Deputy Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Finance, highlighted the importance of international cooperation on digital finance and governance. Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, followed with remarks on strengthening regional connectivity and policy frameworks to support equitable digital development.
A key component of the forum is the Digital Bridge Policy Dialogue: Ministerial Meeting, where high‑level representatives from ADB’s developing member countries are discussing frameworks for digital inclusion, secure infrastructure, and cross‑border cooperation on digital initiatives.
Panels and discussions throughout the event are focused on practical strategies for digital transformation. For example, the Tech Trailblazer Panel brought together public‑ and private‑sector voices to explore opportunities, lessons learned, and approaches to scaling digital projects across diverse contexts.
The Digital Tech & Innovation Marketplace is showcasing digital solutions from ADB partners and stakeholders, offering concrete examples of how cloud, AI, and other technologies are being applied to public and private sector challenges.
Parallel to the main discussions, the Google‑ADB Solutions Challenge 2025 is highlighting AI‑based solutions developed by student teams that address real‑world issues in areas such as agriculture, transportation, disaster risk management, education, and healthcare.
Through these sessions and networking opportunities, participants are sharing insights and takeaways that can inform digital transformation strategies in both government and industry.
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