This working paper explains how addressing development challenges that cut across human, animal, and ecological health needs an integrated, collaborative approach involving multiple sectors, disciplines, and levels of government.
Financing Net Zero Is Not Just about Money. Innovative Solutions, Incentives, and Policies also Needed
Meeting Southeast Asia's net-zero targets is hinged on how fast both the public and public sectors can mobilize capital to finance climate investments.
ASEAN's Just Transition Entails Reskilling a Diversified Workforce
Making the labor force more diverse, inclusive, and capable of taking on green jobs is crucial for Southeast Asian nations to reach their net-zero goals by 2050.
Why Cities Need Better Connectivity
Better connectivity can provide insight and understanding in building cities so that synergies can be achieved, interventions designed, performance optimized, value created, and well-being advanced.
Protecting Coastlines and Communities with Nature-Based Solutions
Coastal nature-based solutions are interventions designed with nature to restore ecosystems, reverse biodiversity loss, manage water quality, and tackle the negative effects of climate change on infrastructure and society.
Paving the Way for the Next-Generation Digital Startups
Talent, education, funding, connectedness, legal environment, and infrastructure are vital enablers for a thriving ecosystem for next-generation digital startups.
Overcoming the Challenge: Effective Solid Waste Management on a Budget
A devastating methane gas explosion in a landfill in Bandung, Indonesia is a painful reminder on the need for proper solid waste management.
Reimagining a Greener Tourism as Travelers Demand Sustainability
New opportunities are emerging for net-zero tourism as travelers in Asia and the Pacific now demand sustainable options and are willing to spend more to shrink their carbon footprint as well as support local communities.
SEADS 2023: Climate Action Urgently Needed
Accelerating the adoption of solutions that can mitigate climate impacts and advance decarbonization now more urgent than ever, say experts.
Latest News
Report
Solutions
The International Atomic Energy Agency is piloting the application of nuclear solutions to plastics recycling in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Report
This case study examines the success story of the Philippines by diving into the key decisions made by the government and private sector in accelerating the adoption of responsible digital payments.
Report
This policy brief provides an interdisciplinary perspective for policymakers, financial institutions, and societal actors who are aiming to contribute to the successful implementation of JETP.
Report
This report uses a broad range of indicators to assess the individual and collective development progress made by ASEAN.
Solutions
Making the labor force more diverse, inclusive, and capable of taking on green jobs is crucial for Southeast Asian nations to reach their net-zero goals by 2050.
Solutions
Meeting Southeast Asia's net-zero targets is hinged on how fast both the public and public sectors can mobilize capital to finance climate investments.
Report
This report reveals strategies to help Southeast Asian countries rebuild a greener, more resilient aviation industry.
Solutions
Better connectivity can provide insight and understanding in building cities so that synergies can be achieved, interventions designed, performance optimized, value created, and well-being advanced.
Solutions
Largest CEO survey shows their companies are deploying innovations and partnerships to deliver results.
Report
This policy brief examines the importance of further integrating ASEAN's digital economy and provides policy recommendations on the provisions that should be included in the DEFA.
Solutions
Coastal nature-based solutions are interventions designed with nature to restore ecosystems, reverse biodiversity loss, manage water quality, and tackle the effects of climate change on infrastructure and society.
Solutions
As a model city, the new capital is seen to help in the transition to net zero, achieve climate resilience, and ensure economic prosperity for all.
Solutions
Talent, education, funding, connectedness, legal environment, and infrastructure are vital enablers for a thriving ecosystem for next-generation digital startups.
Solutions
A devastating methane gas explosion in a landfill in Bandung, Indonesia is a painful reminder on the need for proper solid waste management.
Solutions
The facility would provide a range of grants for project preparation along with guarantees for parts of ADB’s sovereign loan portfolios to ramp up support for the region in the battle against climate change.
Report
This report presents a practical toolkit of ways to merge public, private, institutional, and other forms of low-cost capital to deliver resilient, sustainable, and future-ready infrastructure in the ASEAN+3 region.
Solutions
New opportunities are emerging for net-zero tourism as travelers in Asia and the Pacific now demand sustainable options and are willing to spend more to shrink their carbon footprint as well as support local communities.
Executive Summary
This is an executive summary of a presentation by McKinsey & Co. at SEADS 2023 on the opportunities in renewable energy manufacturing in the region.
Solutions
Digital technologies and the digital economy may drive more than economic growth, but also sustainable, equitable, and inclusive development for all. Yet, “tech for good” has proven nebulous as a concept.
Solutions
Accelerating the adoption of solutions that can mitigate climate impacts and advance decarbonization now more urgent than ever, say experts.
Solutions
Technology can provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate more fully in the workforce, to access education, and to lead more independent lives.
Solutions
Weathering the crises will require coordinated efforts from governments and nonstate actors to bring about inclusive transformation of energy, food, and finance systems.
Report
This report shows how cascading crises are pushing the SDGs out of reach of Asia and the Pacific economies.
News
UNWTO sees visitor arrivals nearing pre-pandemic levels in some regions but notes slow recovery in Asia–Pacific.
Report
This publication highlights brighter economic prospects for Asia and the Pacific amid ongoing challenges. It forecasts growth across the region’s developing economies of 4.8% this year and in 2024, up from 4.2% in 2022.
News
Growth forecasts for developing Asia’s economies are looking brighter, with 4.8% growth projection this year and next year compared to the 4.2% growth in 2022.
Solutions
The transition to a low-carbon economy needs to be consciously designed to be socially equitable and inclusive–a just transition. Moreover, the transition cannot be gender-neutral but must be gender-just.
Report
This book reviews the challenges and opportunities facing GVCs in Southeast Asia as they build greater resilience and promote sustainable, green development for the region and its people.
Solutions
Regenerative design is an an important mechanism for decarbonization as it aims to restore social and planetary health, revitalize biodiverse ecosystems, and renew natural capital.
Solutions
With annual cash waqf donations estimated at around $12 billion and total land waqf assets at $134 billion, authorities are now considering using these Islamic endowments to fight climate change.
MSMEs are the first and last mile of the economy. As such, more concerted support for MSMEs to chart a greener way forward is needed, from governments, platform companies, and new digital solutions providers.
Education systems need retooling to meet the growing demand for higher digital skills.
Spotlight
ASEAN Policy Network
Amid increasing demand for knowledge from developing member countries (DMCs) in Southeast Asia, ADB's ASEAN Policy Network facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration within and between its operational and central knowledge departments and seeks to build relationships with academes, think tanks, research institutions, and other partners.
Southeast Asia Sustainable Tourism Hub
With Southeast Asia’s tourism industry still reeling from the impact of COVID-19, ADB is increasing its support for investments, capacity development, and knowledge to accelerate an inclusive and sustainable recovery.
Publications
This study analyzes the exposure of energy and transport assets in Asia and the Pacific to climate change and earthquake hazards.
This publication recaps proceedings during ADB's Southeast Asia Development Symposium 2022. It highlights the solutions that address challenges from the pandemic.
This report analyzes how Islamic finance can be scaled up to help build urgently needed climate-resilient infrastructure in the Asia and the Pacific, and ensure its post-COVID-19 recovery is green, sustainable, and inclusive.
Webinar Recordings
This webinar examined the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emerging trends in Southeast Asia's labor markets, particularly for women and the youth, and what needs to be done to ensure a resilient and inclusive workforce in a post-COVID-19 world.
This webinar discussed the implications of competing short-, medium-, and long-term challenges on the region’s prospect for building a resilient and sustainable recovery. It also explored policy instruments that could be used to address such challenges.
This webinar focused on enhancing collective understanding about the cloud, its benefits, and the policy best practices for building a cloud-first environment.
Featured Events
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What is SEADS?
The Southeast Asia Development Solutions—SEADS—is a knowledge and innovation platform under the Asian Development Bank. In tandem with its partner program, the Southeast Asia Development Symposium, SEADS aims to help crystallize thinking on relevant and critical issues in the region, and support countries in becoming prosperous, knowledge-based, and sustainable.
Sowing SEADS of Growth
INNOVATIONS
Discover the latest cutting-edge breakthroughs that can help countries tackle pressing challenges.
SOLUTIONS
Hear from leading minds and trailblazers from industry, technology, the public sector, and academia.
CONNECTIONS
Interact with problem-solvers and next-generation thinkers from Southeast Asia and beyond.
SEADS Contributing Partners
