Activities
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ADB North American Representative Office brings together key stakeholders to reflect on 2022
On 6 December 2022, ADB North American Representative Lesley Bearman Lahm provided keynote remarks at the first reception held in North American Representative Office's (NARO) new office building in Washington, DC. The year-end reception celebrated successes of 2022, new and renewed engagement with key stakeholders in Washington, and new staff members of NARO. Attendees included representatives from US Treasury, US International Development Finance Corporation, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Meridian International Center, the National Bureau of Asian Research, World Resources Institute, the Nature Conservancy, Center for Global Development, European Investment Bank, UN Development Programme, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, the embassies of Australia and Canada, and others.
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North American Representative Office-Georgetown Speaker Series: Presentation on how ADB engages with CSOs
On 2 December 2022, ADB Senior Social Development Specialist Marina Best presented to and led a workshop on the different ways that ADB engages with civil society organizations (CSOs) with graduate students of Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service. She provided an overview of multilateral development banks and safeguards and accountability systems. Following her presentation, the students participated in an innovation workshop on challenges and solutions to improving CSO engagement.
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ADB North American Representative speaks on energy transitions at National Bureau of Asian Research event
On 1 December 2022, ADB North American Representative Lesley Bearman Lahm spoke at an “Energy on the Hill” event hosted by the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR). Representative Lahm presented on ADB’s approach to energy transition financing and the need for innovative financing mechanisms in a changing energy landscape. The panel also featured Sharon Burke, President of Ecospherics, and Hiroyuki Suzuki, Chief Representative for the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, moderated by Mikkal Herberg, Senior Advisor and Research Director of NBR’s Energy Security Program. Learn more and watch the recording.
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ADB North American Representative speaks at UN Peacebuilding Commission Annual Session
On 22 November 2022, ADB North American Representative Lesley Bearman Lahm spoke on behalf of ADB at the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) Annual Session, which focused on the engagement of regional development banks (RDBs) in peacebuilding settings and conflict-affected countries and regions, taking stock of good practices of the work of RDBs, and exploring opportunities for greater collaboration between the UN and RDBs. Recognized by UN PBC Chair Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Muhammad Muhith, Representative Lahm spoke about ADB’s enhanced FCAS and SIDS approach and how ADB adapts its engagement in peacebuilding settings and conflict-affected situations. Learn more and watch the meeting (Representative Lahm speaks at 02:53:45).
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President Asakawa meets with US government officials, IFI heads, leaders; attends G20 meeting in Washington, DC
During a mission on 12-15 October to Washington, DC, President Masatsugu Asakawa met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and discussed ADB’s innovative efforts around climate finance and ways to deepen US-ADB climate partnerships. He also met with US Assistant Secretary of Treasury for International Trade and Development Alexia Latortue and discussed climate finance, ADB’s Safeguard Policy update, and support for Afghanistan. The President participated in the G20 4th Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (FMCGB) and held meetings with World Bank President David Malpass, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, COP26 President Alok Sharma, and heads of the multilateral and regional development banks. President Asakawa discussed ADB efforts to respond to global crises such as food security and climate change, with a focus on partnerships. He also held bilateral meetings with leaders from ADB's developing members including Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, and Pakistan.
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ADB speaks at National Bureau of Asian Research and North American Representative Office-Georgetown University Speaker Series
On 29 September 2022, ADB Senior Statistician M. Joseph Mariasingham presented research on semiconductor supply chains and the implications of chip shortages in Asia from Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2022 at a private roundtable hosted by the National Bureau of Asian Research. Following his presentation, he engaged in discussion with the audience of policy researchers and industry representatives. Also on 29 September, ADB Senior Economist Elisabetta Gentile gave a seminar at Georgetown University on “Productivity Growth, Innovation, and Upgrading along Global Value Chains.” The seminar was jointly hosted by the School of Foreign Service and McDonough School of Business and was part of the North America dissemination of the Global Value Chain Development Report 2021.
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ADB North American Representative speaks at UN Peacebuilding Commission Ambassadorial-level meeting on Timor-Leste
On 26 September 2022, ADB North American Representative Lesley Bearman Lahm spoke on behalf of ADB at a UN Peacebuilding Commission Ambassadorial-level meeting on Timor-Leste. Speaking alongside Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, former President and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, representatives from CSOs, and others, Representative Lahm spoke about ADB’s engagement in Timor-Leste and the role of development in peacebuilding. She highlighted how ADB’s new country strategy in Timor-Leste – covering 2023-2027 and informed by ADB’s Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations and Small Island Developing States (FCAS and SIDS) Approach – aims to promote climate change mitigation and economic diversification, including supporting resilient infrastructure. Watch the meeting.
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ADB North American Representative speaks at AOS Climate and ESG Asset Owners Summit
On 21 September 2022, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, ADB North American Representative Lesley Bearman Lahm presented at the CFA Society of New York's Third AOS Climate and ESG Asset Owners Summit. Representative Lahm highlighted ADB’s emphasis on pursuing the low-carbon energy transition in Asia and the Pacific, and challenges and opportunities in financing this transition. She spoke alongside representatives from AFP Integra, Mercer, and PSP Investments, among others. Watch the panel.
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ADB Vice President discusses ADB’s climate agenda with US Congressional staff
On 22 July 2022, ADB Vice President for East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ahmed M. Saeed provided remarks at a congressional luncheon cohosted by the ADB North American Representative Office and the US-Asia Institute. VP Saeed discussed ADB's approach to climate and energy finance in Asia and the Pacific, and efforts to mobilize private sector financing. North American Representative Lesley Bearman Lahm gave introductory remarks, and Shay Wester, Asia Society Policy Institute Director of Asian Economic Affairs, moderated the conversation with high-level congressional staff.
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ADB and UNDP host joint roundtable discussion on financing the Sustainable Development Goals
On 13 June 2022, ADB and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) co-hosted a roundtable discussion on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) financing at ADB's North American Representative Office in Washington, DC. ADB North American Representative Lesley Bearman Lahm moderated the discussion, which featured Thomas Beloe, Chief of Programme for UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub, and Lu Shen, Director of the Results and Aid Effectiveness Division within ADB’s Strategy, Policy, and Partnerships Department. Participants from other international financial institutions, development finance institutions, US Treasury, and think tanks joined the discussion, highlighting ongoing efforts to support the SDGs and emerging priorities for a challenging agenda ahead, and potential for partnerships.
