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Ideas for Developing Asia and the Pacific

Think20 (T20)

Learn about ADBI in the T20—The Group of 20’s (G20) think tank engagement group

T20 India 2023: Featured Activities

  • ADBI Dean Promotes T7-T20 Collaboration to Bridge G7-G20 Solutions

    ADBI Dean and Think7 (T7) Japan Lead Chair Tetsushi Sonobe stressed the importance of T7-T20 collaboration during a pair of events in India. Dean Sonobe described think tank collaboration as crucial to accelerating Group of 7 (G7) and Group of Twenty (G20) cooperation to address global challenges at a special T20 program hosted by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries in Bhopal on 16 January. Optimizing T7-T20 dynamics can better provide the G7, G20, and partners innovative strategies for achieving shared resilience and sustainable growth, he explained. During the 14th South Asia Conference in Delhi on 17 January, Dean Sonobe discussed G7 Japan’s focus on boosting engagement with the Global South and how it reflects G20 India’s slogan One Earth, One Family, One Future. He addressed these issues in a session chaired by Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses Director General and T20 India lead chair. Ambassador Chinoy expressed support for amplifying T7-T20 cooperation.

  • ADBI Dean Discusses Think Tank Support for Multilateralism at T20 India Inception Conference

    ADBI Dean and Think7 (T7) Japan Lead Chair Tetsushi Sonobe explained how think tanks can boost multilateralism amid increasing geopolitical fragmentation at the T20 India Inception Conference in New Delhi on 13-14 January. He underscored the importance of leveraging think tanks’ convening power via T20 and T7. He said this approach could scale up research-based policy solutions and collaboration to help bridge efforts by the Group of 7 (G7) and G20 to drive sustainable economic development for all. Dean Sonobe is a co-chair of the T20 task force on macroeconomics, trade, and livelihoods.

T20 Indonesia 2022: Featured Activities

  • ADBI Expert Describes Agricultural Digitalization’s Potential to Advance Rural Development

    ADBI’s Dil Rahut explained how integrating digital technologies in agriculture can enhance the sector’s efficiency and rural development during a T20 policy roundtable hosted by the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies on 11 October. He highlighted innovations that can optimize yield and facilitate consumption. He urged the G20 and partners to promote expanded access to reliable and affordable internet, electricity, low-cost smart phones, and digital literacy training.

  • T20 Policy Brief Proposes G20 Roadmap for Digital Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment

    A new T20 policy brief by ADBI’s Peter Morgan and coauthors outlines a potential G20 road map for boosting digital financial inclusion of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs) critical to gender-equitable recovery. It describes how COVID-19 disruptions have disproportionally impacted women entrepreneurs and WSMEs in the digital economy. It urges greater G20 focus on tackling the gender poverty gap, including global efforts to promote women’s digital skills and digital financial services access and usage.

  • T20 Policy Brief Seeks G20 Consortium to Drive Universal Internet Access, Resilient Development

    A new T20 policy brief coauthored by ADBI’s Dil Rahut calls for a G20 consortium to scale up universal internet access and the application of citizen-generated data (CGD) to promote inclusive and resilient development. It describes equitable digital channels and increased CGD utilization as vital to closing the digital divide and strengthening disaster management. It also explains how infrastructure growth and digital governance incorporating internet tariffs can improve internet access and affordability.

  • T20 Policy Brief Promotes Green Energy Investment in Southeast Asia, Climate Action

    A new T20 policy brief by ADBI’s Dean Tetsushi SonobeDina Azhgaliyeva, and coauthors explains how the G20 can help overcome financial barriers to green energy development in Southeast Asia and strengthen climate change mitigation. It spotlights measures to address financing gaps, financial risks, and a shortage of bankable renewable energy projects. It urges the G20 to develop a new regional investment hub to boost capital inflows, produce financial de-risking instrument instructions, and foster green energy project financing and energy security.

  • T20 Policy Brief Promotes Resilient, Inclusive Social Protection to Support Rapidly Aging Societies

    A new T20 policy brief coauthored by ADBI’s Pitchaya Sirivunnabood offers the G20 guidance on building resilient and inclusive social welfare systems to support aging societies after the COVID-19 crisis. It stresses the importance of comprehensive social welfare frameworks for aged and aging societies, strengthening social protection, and longevity-related poverty prevention. It urges the G20 to boost efforts to integrate age-inclusive and long-term care in national insurance coverage and design sustainable pension systems.

  • T20 Policy Brief Calls for Digital Approach to COVID-19 Learning Loss Recovery

    A new T20 policy brief by ADBI’s Dean Tetsushi Sonobe, Daniel Suryadarma, Takiko Igarashi, and Trang Thu Vu explains how the G20 can promote technological innovation in education needed to recover COVID-19 induced learning loss and build education resilience. It urges the G20 to support the integration of digital technology based on education system capacity and social context. It discusses ways to identify suitable technology, enhance skills training, and seek stakeholder buy-in and describes the potential sustainable development impacts.

  • T20 Policy Brief Recommends G20 Role in Mitigating Digital Cross-Border Payment Risks

    A new T20 policy brief coauthored by John Beirne encourages G20 coordination on policies to safeguard macrofinancial stability amid the digitalization of cross-border trade and financial flows. It recommends a taxonomy of digital finance innovations in payments and national digital finance committees, a common framework for assessing risk exposure, and adjustments in prudential and supervisory regulation. It also calls for international support for effective capital flow management for the digital age.

  • ADBI-T20 Roundtable Highlights Asia’s Carbon Net-Zero Financing Innovation

    Policy strategies for growing renewable energy investment in Asia vital to global carbon net-zero transition were explored at an ADBI-T20 roundtable on 2 August, held as part of the 43rd International Association of Energy Economics International Conference in Tokyo and virtually. Researchers examined financing mechanisms that could address tight post-COVID-19 public budgets while meeting surging energy demand. They stressed the importance of G20-led action for promoting financing breakthroughs within the sector and climate change mitigation.

  • ADBI Expert Spotlights Keys to Accelerating Digital-Driven Rural Development

    ADBI's Dil Rahut discussed how digitalization can help transform rural economies and advance inclusive growth in developing Asia during a T20 side event on 27 July. Integrating technological innovation into communities in ways that support rural and agricultural ecosystems can optimize digital-driven growth, Rahut explained. He noted the importance of reliable and affordable internet service, digital financial services and literacy, e-government, and regulation for enhancing poverty alleviation, food security, and climate safeguards.

  • OECD-ADBI Spotlight Keys to Accelerating Quality Infrastructure Development in Asia

    Experts discussed policy solutions for meeting Asia's growing demand for quality infrastructure investment, driven by economic growth and surging energy demand, at an OECD-ADBI high-level seminar in Bali on 14 July. Convening on the eve of the G20 Global Infrastructure Investors Dialogue, they emphasized the need for effective fiscal management and public-private partnerships for environmental, social, and governance investment. They also stressed the importance of building climate resilience and energy transition investment.

  • ADBI Expert Encourages G20 to Embrace Farmer-Centered Digital Food Security Strategy

    ADBI's Dil Rahut urged the G20 to promote digital development among small, climate-vulnerable farms that support global agricultural supply chains and food security during a cohosted T20 associated webinar on 9 June. He noted that greater digitalization within the sector can help connect farmers to global markets, metrological information, and smart agricultural practices. Such inroads are critical to farm productivity, climate change mitigation, and equitable economic development, Rahut concluded.

  • ADBI-SMERU T20 Dialogue Assesses Technology’s Potential to Deliver Quality Learning for All

    Keys to harnessing digital innovation’s capacity to promote quality learning for all were explored during an ADBI-SMERU Research Institute T20 associated webinar on 24 May. Researchers examined education system design that integrates technology needed to improve teacher and school management efficiency, teaching customization to meet students’ needs, teachers’ professional development, and social change. They also discussed related policy guidance for the G20 and developing economies.

  • ADBI-T20 Promote Education System Innovation to Build Inclusive Digital Economies

    ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe and researchers examined ways to address COVID-19-induced learning losses and support inclusive economic recovery during a cohosted ADBI-T20 associated webinar on 29 April. The University of London’s Chris Rowley discussed the importance of digitalization-focused education system design. Other explored education strategies and policy interventions to maximize digital development’s potential to boost productivity and social cohesion.

  • ADBI-T20 Guide Social Protection Reforms for Inclusive Economic Recovery

    Policy strategies for promoting resilient and inclusive social protection vital to equitable post-pandemic recovery were explored in a ADBI-SMERU Research Institute T20 associated webinar on 21 April. Government officials and experts examined the increasing policy focus on social protection, emergency safety net development, and broader reform imperatives. They spotlighted universal coverage, digital technology use, shock-responsive social protection, strengthening pension schemes, and sufficient fiscal space.

ADBI T20 2022 Policy Briefs

Task Force 2: Meaningful Digital Connectivity, Cyber Security, Empowerment

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributor

  • Peter Morgan, Senior Consulting Economist, Vice Chair of Research, ADBI

Other Contributors

  • Angela C. Lyons , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Josephine KassHanna, Saint Joseph University of Beirut
  • Joelle H. Fong, National University of Singapore

Task Force 2: Meaning Digital Connectivity, Cyber Security, Empowerment

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributor

  • Dil Rahut, Vice-Chair of Research and Senior Research Fellow, ADBI

Other Contributors

  • Noran Abdou, AECOM
  • Subhasia Bera, International School of Business and Media
  • Khaled El-Sayed, Synerjies Center for International and Strategic Studies
  • Yassmine Lotfi, Synerjies Center for International and Strategic Studies
  • Reham Morsy, Synerjies Center for International and Strategic Studies

Task Force 3: Governing Climate Targets, Energy Transition, and Environmental Protection

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributors

Other Contributors

  • Alin Halimatussadiah, University of Indonesia, Institute for Economic and Social Research
  • Nuki Agya Utama, ASEAN Centre for Energy
  • Teuku Riefky, University of Indonesia, Institute for Economic and Social Research
  • Rafika Farah Maulia, University of Indonesia, Institute for Economic and Social Research

Task Force 5: Inequality, Human Capital, and Well-being

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributor

Other Contributor

  • Upalat Korwatanasakul, School of Social Sciences, Waseda University

Task Force 7: International Finance and Economic Recovery

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributor

Other Contributor

  • Teuku Riefky, University of Indonesia, Institute for Economic and Social Research

T20 Italy 2021: Featured Activities

  • T20 Policy Brief Lays Groundwork for Post-COVID-19 Private Infrastructure Financing Boom

    A new Think 20 (T20) Italy policy brief coauthored by ADBI’s Nella Hendriyetty provides evidence-based insights on overcoming mounting post-COVID-19 infrastructure financing challenges. It describes innovative financing approaches for attracting greater private investment to meet changing infrastructure needs. Examples include leveraging spillover tax revenues through the application of tools such as revenue bonds and crowdfunding. The policy brief calls for global policy action in these areas to promote local development and sustainable recovery.

  • T20 Policy Brief Details Infrastructure Blueprint for Building More Equitable Economies

    Innovative infrastructure solutions for enhancing both economic recovery and redistribution are spotlighted in a new Think20 (T20) Italy policy brief coauthored by ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe and global think tank experts. It integrates considerations for health, food and agriculture, urbanization, ecosystem services, and redistribution in infrastructure policy priorities. The policy brief stresses the importance of interdisciplinary and multilateral approaches, and harnessing digitalization.

  • T20 Policy Brief Charts Transition Path to Circular Economy, Greener Future

    A new Think20 (T20) Italy policy brief by ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe and global think tank experts describes policy priorities for transitioning from a linear to circular economy to enhance green development. It explains how this approach can transform resource-intensive economies into sustainable ones that reduce pollution and waste and alleviate environmental damage and climate risk. The policy brief assesses ways to integrate this structural change in urban development and supply chains, and highlights digitalization’s role in supporting a circular economy. It urges policy makers to identify a viable transition path, including skills training and regulation in-line with local conditions.

  • T20 Policy Brief Cautions Against Rising Climate Change-Induced Sovereign Risk

    Strategies to mitigate climate change-amplified macrofinancial volatility and sovereign risk are examined in a new Think20 (T20) Italy policy brief co-authored by ADBI’s John Beirne. It explains how climate risks can raise sovereign borrowing costs, cutting fiscal space for investment in climate adaptation and threatening debt sustainability. The policy brief calls for greater recognition of climate-induced sovereign risks, plus mainstreaming climate risk analysis into public sector budgetary and central bank operational frameworks. It also advocates financial sector policies and insurance solutions to boost adaptive capacity and resilience, and targeted support by international financial institutions to climate-vulnerable economies.

  • ADBI Dean Urges Multidisciplinary Support for G20 Sustainable Infrastructure Action

    ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe urged think tanks to promote multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder solutions to help global leaders address post-COVID-19 sustainable infrastructure challenges during a Think20 (T20) Summit side event cohosted by the Green Economy Observatory, Bocconi University, and the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, ahead of the 30-31 October Group of 20 (G20) Rome Summit. He explained that such an approach to policy research will be crucial to improving project design, implementation, and effectiveness in tackling human capital gaps, inequality, and climate change. He also described how new think tank synergies could strengthen policy support for meeting global sustainable infrastructure needs moving forward.

  • T20 Policy Brief Promotes Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Beyond COVID-19

    Infrastructure financing models for addressing post-COVID budget constraints and building green and inclusive economies are the focus of a new Think20 (T20) Italy policy brief coauthored by ADBI’s Dean Tetsushi Sonobe, Dina Azhgaliyeva, and Nella Hendriyetty. An example includes rebalancing policy priorities in favor of infrastructure growth, innovative financing, and governance enhancements to create fiscal space. The policy brief also discusses several financing models, such as public–private partnerships, for mobilizing private sector finance in infrastructure.

  • ADBI to G20: Infrastructure Recoupling Critical to Asia’s Post-Pandemic Growth Prospects

    ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe urged the Group of 20 (G20) to boost sustainable infrastructure development that could foster a more inclusive and climate-resilient COVID-19 recovery in Asia and the Pacific in keynote remarks during the Global Solutions Summit on 27-28 May. He stressed the importance of promoting infrastructure that recouples economic, social, and environmental prosperity, with attention to building support for projects among the general public and private sector. ADBI’s Linda Arthur also discussed the role of a circular economy in creating sustainable production loops that could offset infrastructure costs. View Dean Sonobe’s keynote remarks.

  • ADBI Expert Describes Infrastructure-Based G20 Recovery Path During Book Discussion

    ADBI’s Nella Hendriyetty explained how Group of Twenty (G20) countries could promote a more lasting and sustainable COVID-19 recovery through quality infrastructure development during a University of Indonesia webinar on 20 May. Drawing upon ADBI’s contribution to a Global Solutions Initiative e-book on G20 post-pandemic infrastructure strategy, she stressed the importance of boosting private investment and urban planning that promotes digital connectivity, economic equality, and green growth. She helped set the tone for the Global Solutions Summit, to spotlight policy research for the G20 being led by ADBI and other think tanks via their Think20 (T20) collaboration.

  • ADBI Experts Describe Sustainable Post-Pandemic Infrastructure Drivers in New E-Book

    ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe explains how quality infrastructure development and well-managed urbanization could promote more resilient, green, and inclusive post-COVID-19 growth in the new e-book INTERSECTING, published by the Global Solutions Initiative, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), New Dialogues, and ADBI as a knowledge partner. He also assesses the role of think tanks in supporting policy efforts to address pandemic-driven socioeconomic change and build sustainable recovery. Post-pandemic G20 priorities must closely align with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to tackle shared challenges, adds ADBI’s Nella Hendriyetty.

  • ADBI Outlines Support for Global Policy Innovation During T20 Italy Launch

    ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe addressed the Think20 (T20) Italy 2021 Inception Conference on 8-9 February by expressing ADBI’s commitment to advancing timely and impactful global policy research, in conjunction with Italy’s Group of 20 (G20) presidency. Working with other top think tanks under T20 task forces, ADBI experts will contribute five policy briefs on “quality” post COVID-19 infrastructure development, boosting private infrastructure financing, localizing the circular economy, building a new sustainable economy, and mitigating climate change effects on sovereign risk and macroeconomic stability. The policy briefs will be among those presented to G20 Leaders for consideration ahead of their summit on 30-31 October.

ADBI T20 2021 Policy Briefs

T20 2021 Task Force 7: Infrastructure Investment and Financing

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributors

Other Contributors

  • Rym Ayadi, Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association

T20 2021 Task Force 9: International Finance

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributors

Other Contributors

  • Nuobu Renzhi, Capital University of Economics and Business
  • Ulrich Volz, German Development Institute

T20 2021 Task Force 7: Infrastructure Investment and Financing

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributors

  • Nella Hendriyetty, Senior Capacity Building and Training Economist, ADBI

Other Contributors

  • Shamshad Akhtar, Former Finance Minister of Pakistan and Former Governor, Central Bank of Pakistan
  • Amar Bhattacharya, Center for Sustainable Development, Brookings Institute
  • Marie-Aimée Boury, Société Générale
  • Nicolas Buchoud, Grand Paris Alliance for Sustainable Investment
  • Naoyuki Yoshino, Keio University

T20 2021 Task Force 2: Climate Change, Sustainable Energy, & Environment

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributors

Other Contributors

  • Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia
  • Nicolas Buchoud, Grand Paris Alliance for Metropolitan Development
  • Alexander Charalambous, Living Prospects
  • Edoardo Croci, Bocconi University
  • Himani Jain, Council on Energy, Environment and Water
  • Martin Kochhan, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
  • Hemant Mallya, Council on Energy, Environment and Water
  • Shuva Raha, Council on Energy, Environment and Water
  • Vanesa Rodriguez Osuna, German Corporation for International Cooperation

T20 2021 Task Force 7: Infrastructure Investment and Financing

View Policy Brief

ADBI Contributors

Other Contributors

  • Iskandar Abdullaev, Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute
  • Shakhboz Akhmedov, Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute
  • Raja Almarzoqi, International Monetary Fund
  • Yannick Autret, Biodiversity and Infrastructure Opportunities for European Transport Network
  • Ryan Bartlett, World Wildlife Federation for Nature
  • Nicolas Buchoud, Grand Paris Alliance for Sustainable Investments
  • Sachin Chaturvedi, Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries
  • Michael Cohen, The New School
  • Edoardo Croci, Centre for Research on Geography, Resources, Environment, Energy & Networks
  • John Hauert, GIZ GmbH
  • Irina Karapetyans, Russian University of Transport
  • Elisabeth Losos, Duke University
  • Beatriz Nofal, former G20 sherpa, Argentina
  • Riatu Mariatul Qibthiyyah, University of Indonesia
  • Kate Newman, World Wide Fund for Nature
  • Bart Orr, The New School
  • Christian Wertli, Swiss Re

T20 Saudi Arabia 2020: Featured Activities

  • T20 Policy Brief Outlines Global COVID-19 Fiscal Blueprint

    A new Think 20 (T20) policy brief co-authored by ADBI’s Peter Morgan and Nella Hendriyetty urges coordinated and comprehensive fiscal policies to address the pandemic-driven economic crisis. It proposes short and long-term actions, including health-related fiscal stimulus and stabilizing monetary policies. It also advocates measures that could help promote infrastructure financing, narrow income gaps, and deliver financial support to severely affected sectors to foster resilient and inclusive post-pandemic growth. The policy brief was also co-authored by former ADBI Dean Naoyuki Yoshino and the Australia-China Belt and Road Initiative’s Jean Dong.

  • T20 Policy Brief Describes Digital Financial Inclusion Keys

    Extending digital financial education to disadvantaged groups will be key to advancing financial inclusion in the digital age, according to a new Think 20 (T20) policy brief authored by ADBI’s Peter Morgan and Long Trinh and ADB’s Bihong Huang. It discusses the increasing need to address disparities in digital financial literacy (DFL) in light of pandemic-accelerated digitalization. It also details policy recommendations, including DFL standardizing measures, identification of the vulnerable, and targeted education programs delivered in coordination with Big Tech, non-governmental organizations, and financial institutions to promote an inclusive digital economy.

  • T20 Policy Brief Highlights Demographic Transition Management Strategies

    A new Think 20 (T20) policy brief co-authored by ADBI’s Deputy Dean Chul Ju Kim and Pitchaya Sirivunnabood details strategies for addressing workforce and fiscal sustainability pressures linked to accelerating demographic transition. It urges productivity enhancement by promoting inclusive labor participation via the female workforce and a higher retirement age, as well as education, training programs, and skill development. Fiscal and comprehensive social security and healthcare reforms will be crucial for achieving fiscal sustainability in the face of rapid population aging, it adds.

  • T20 Policy Brief Supports Quality Post-Pandemic Infrastructure Growth

    Innovative approaches for boosting quality infrastructure investment that could accelerate COVID-19 recovery are detailed in a new Think20 (T20) policy brief, co-authored by ADBI's Nella Hendriyetty. It explains how post-pandemic fiscal strain will make public financing of infrastructure projects increasingly challenging and outlines ways to promote profitable, sustainable, and resilient private investment. Its recommendations include spillover tax revenue schemes to lure private investors, greater financing for small and medium-sized enterprises alongside infrastructure development and enhanced natural disaster preparedness.

  • T20 Policy Brief Guides Green Growth Recovery

    Ways to accelerate sustainable energy transition to drive global COVID-19 recovery are explored in a new Think20 (T20) policy brief, co-authored by ADBI Senior Capacity Building and Training Economist Nella Hendriyetty. It emphasizes the importance of boosting private sector support for green energy development and implementation of the Paris Agreement. The focuses include G20-coordinated sustainable recovery measures, renewable energy expansion, environmental assessment and fossil fuel transition, and promotion of electricity access and efficient consumption.

  • ADBI to T20: COVID-19 Action Vital to Demographic Transition

    ADBI Capacity Building and Training Economist Pitchaya Sirivunnabood highlighted the importance of addressing COVID-19 shocks to avoid exacerbating demographic transition challenges during a Think20 (T20) task force webinar on 2 June. Sirivunnabood suggested the G20 and other countries create sufficient fiscal space to mitigate the pandemic’s health and economic impacts, and help confront demographic changes like population aging. She also called for inclusive measures that recognize vulnerable groups such as older people, females, and migrant workers to ensure social cohesion.

  • ADBI Details COVID-19 Financial Inclusion Guidance Before T20

    ADBI Vice Chair of Research Peter Morgan explained during a Think20 (T20) task force webinar on 20 May that greater efforts by the G20 and other governments to promote digital financial literacy could advance financial inclusion in the COVID-19 era. Morgan said the pandemic-driven acceleration of the digital economy is increasing the need for national digital financial education strategies and guidelines, developed in coordination with fintech companies. He noted that this approach could boost access to financial services and financial education for disadvantaged groups.

  • ADBI Briefs T20 on COVID-19 Infrastructure Solutions

    ADBI Senior Capacity Building and Training Economist Nella Hendriyetty discussed ways the G20 and other governments can bolster quality infrastructure growth that supports post-COVID 19 economic recovery and job creation during a Think20 (T20) task force webinar on 20 May. Hendriyetty said policy makers could address COVID-19 triggered weakening in public infrastructure funding by introducing innovative policies to attract private investment while boosting small and medium-sized enterprises for increased spillover effects to ensure sustainable growth.

  • ADBI Launches New T20 Research in Saudi Arabia

    ADBI experts introduced new research for enhancing policy in the G20 at the Think 20 (T20) Saudi Arabia Inception Conference in Riyadh on 19-20 January. ADBI Dean Naoyuki Yoshino, T20 infrastructure financing task force co-chair, described research on delivering profitable and sustainable quality infrastructure investment. ADBI Deputy Dean Chul Ju Kim detailed papers on enabling fiscal sustainability amid demographic change and private sector low carbon investment in the power sector. ADBI Vice Chair of Research Peter Morgan and T20 economy, employment, and education in the digital age task force co-chair discussed a study on addressing gaps in digital financial education. The findings will be presented at the T20 Summit in Riyadh later this year. See photos.

ADBI T20 2020 Policy Briefs

This policy brief examines the need for coordinated fiscal and monetary stimulus to address challenges related to the scale of COVID-19’s spread and severe negative impact on the global economy. The aim is to encourage the G20 to develop a coordinated framework and principles to guide effective measures on a global scale. In the short-term, this approach could help contain the spread of the virus and stabilize the economy. In the medium- to long-term, it could support the adoption of policies conducive to economic growth and development.

T20 2020 Task Force 11: (COVID-19) Multidisciplinary Approaches to Complex Problems

Project Team:

  • Peter J. Morgan, Vice Chair of Research, ADBI
  • Nella Hendriyetty, Senior CBT Economist, ADBI
  • Naoyuki Yoshino, Professor Emeritus, Keio University
  • Jean Dong, Chief Executive, China Australia Belt and Road Initiative

Contact: Peter J. Morgan ([email protected])

This policy brief describes four proposals based on demographic stages to ensure fiscal sustainability and social cohesion. First, it discusses ways to raise productivity through human capital investment and enhanced labor participation achieved by increasing female participation, extending the retirement age, and implementing migration policies. Second, it calls for strengthening fiscal frameworks with tax reforms and thorough public spending review. Third, it urges the reform of public pension and healthcare schemes to address the negative impacts on fiscal sustainability and workers’ welfare after retirement. Fourth, it recommends investment in formal and technical education to equip future generations with the skills required in future job markets.

T20 2020 Task Force 9: Migration and Young Societies

Project Team:

  • Chul Ju Kim, Deputy Dean, ADBI
  • Pitchaya Sirivunnabood, CBT Economist, ADBI
  • Yong Jun Baek, Research Associate, ADBI
  • Karen Young, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
  • Cian Mulligan, Senior Research Associate, KAPSARC
  • Sara Lechtenberg-Kasten, Research Fellow, KAPSARC

Contact: Pitchaya Sirivunnabood ([email protected]) and Yong Jun Baek ([email protected])

The development of financial technology (fintech) products and services creates greater opportunities for financial inclusion but requires more knowledge on the part of consumers to understand their costs, risks and benefits. The key challenge is that there are significant digital financial literacy gaps between men and women, urban and rural residents, and small and large firms, among others. This policy brief examines these issues and digital financial literacy education strategies that could narrow these gaps.

T20 2020 Task Force 6: Economy, Employment, and Education in the Digital Age

Project Team:

Contact: Peter J. Morgan ([email protected])


T20 Japan 2019: Featured Activities

  • Japan Prime Minister Abe Meets T20 Delegation

    Japan Prime Minister Abe Shinzo met with T20 Japan Chair and ADBI Dean Naoyuki Yoshino and T20 Japan Supporting Co-Chairs Kenichiro Sasae and Hiroshi Watanabe in Tokyo on 30 May 2019 to discuss the newly issued T20 Communique. Dean Yoshino will represent the T20 during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Osaka to spotlight the communique’s cutting-edge policy recommendations.

  • T20 Issues Communique for G20 Leaders

    The Think20 (T20), the G20's research and policy advice network chaired by ADBI under Japan's G20 presidency, issued the T20 Japan Communique during the T20 Summit in Tokyo on 26-27 May 2019. The communique details innovative policy recommendations for consideration during the G20 Leaders' summit in Osaka. The aim is to equip G20 countries to seek a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient society.

  • T20 Japan’s Guide to Disruption-Ready Education

    This compilation of innovative education policy proposals from the Think20 (T20), the G20’s advisory network chaired by ADBI under Japan’s G20 presidency, details how G20 countries can better equip people for the digitally driven job market and improve income equality, living standards, and sustainable economic growth.

  • View: T20 Summit 2019 Program

    See detailed session, speaker, scheduling and venue information for the T20 Summit 2019 at Toranomon Hills in Tokyo on 26-27 May 2019.

  • View: Read: Spotlight on T20 Summit in Tokyo

    Experts from the G20 advisory network will detail policy recommendations for G20 Leaders ahead of their summit in Osaka.

  • ADBI Unveils Think20 Policy Proposals for G20 Leaders

    ADBI experts introduced policy proposals for realizing a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient society being developed for G20 Leaders by Think20 (T20) Japan Task Forces during the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, Germany on 18-19 March 2019. The proposals address goals including enabling small business growth via fintech, mitigating the economic impact of aging populations, and financing quality infrastructure projects that bring positive development to neighboring communities. ADBI’s summit representation was led by Dean Naoyuki Yoshino, the Chair of T20 Japan 2019.

  • Think20 Japan Ignites G20 Policy Innovation

    Global policy experts from the Think20 are addressing new shifts in the world economy heading into Japan’s inaugural hosting of the G20 in 2019. Work to develop policy recommendations for G20 Leaders to tackle growing uncertainty and sustainability challenges and opportunities began at the T20 Japan Inception Conference in Tokyo on 4-5 December 2018 (See photos). Keynote speakers included Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao and Columbia University Professor Jeffrey Sachs. T20 Japan 2019 is chaired by ADBI Dean Naoyuki Yoshino and supported by 10 sectoral task forces.

Photo Gallery

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T20 2019 Policy Briefs

African countries still face various development challenges such as fiscal and debt management, agricultural development, and the problem of food security, as well as the need to strengthen the competitiveness of industries.

PB # Title of Policy Brief
1 Fiscal and Debt Sustainability in Africa
2 G20 Compact with Africa
3 Industrial Development and ICT in Africa: Opportunities, Challenges and Way Forward
4 Linking Smallholder Production with Value-added Food Markets
5 Sustainable Prevention of Food Crises in Sub-Saharan Africa
6 Tax Challenges of Digitalization in Africa

Task Force 6 deals with the unprecedented crisis in multilateralism at the global level, disruption of social cohesion at the domestic level, how nations could address these issues, and what the future of politics should look like.

PB # Title of Policy Brief
1 Promoting Unity of Corporate Governance with Global Governance and Social Governance: Demanding Commitment from Corporate Businesses on Sustaining Stable Social Foundation
2 Toward Global Paradigm Change: Beyond the Crisis of the Liberal World Order
3 Bringing the Public’s Voice into Debates about the Future of Politics
4 Maintaining Social Cohesion through Democratic Liberalism
5 Improving Future Ocean Governance – Governance of Global Goods in an Age of Global Shifts
6 Regional Trade Blocs as Supporting Structures in Global Governance
7 Technology Can Help To Right Technology`s Social Wrongs: Elements For a New Social Compact For Digitalisation
8 The Urban-Rural Divide and Regionally Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age
9 Decoupling and Social Arrest: The Way Forward
10 Civil Society and the G20: Towards a Review of Regulatory Models and Approaches
11 Multilateralism with Multiple Layers and Strengthening the Base of National Capacity
12 Rules-based Global Governance at Risk: Challenges of US Unilateralism and US-China Superpower Competition
13 The G20 in Face of Politicization: Avoiding or Embracing Contestation?
14 The Digital Freedom Pass: Emancipation from Digital Slavery
15 Improving Immigrants’ Integration in Host Countries