With countries scrambling to soften the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on their economies and citizens, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is holding the second Southeast Asian Development Symposium (SEADS) on 17–18 March to equip governments with insights on how to rebound from the crisis.
The two-day #SEADS2021 features a high-powered slate of thought-leaders and government decision-makers who will share experience and expertise that can help Southeast Asia fast-track recovery. On the agenda are plenary talks, multi-sector panels, and deep-dive workshops that encourage a rich exchange of ideas and recommendations to help with recovery. ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa will deliver the opening keynote.
SEADS for Collaboration
Keynote speakers include Carlos Dominguez, Secretary, Department of Finance, Philippines; Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health, Indonesia; Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, United Nations ESCAP; Jacquelline Fuller, Vice-President, Google and President, Google.org; Jerome Kim, Director General, International Vaccine Institute; Richard J. Hatchett, CEO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; Ayesha Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO, ADDO AI; and Melati Wijsen, Founder, Bye Bye Plastic Bags and YOUTHTOPIA Voices.
Other speakers include Indranee Thurai Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development, Singapore; Ahmed M. Saeed, Vice-President, ADB; Bambang Susantono, Vice-President, ADB; Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General, Southeast Asia Regional Department, ADB; Audrey Choi, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, Morgan Stanley; Ming Maa, Group President, Grab; Suresh Jadhav, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India; Ruth Karron, Professor, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Director, Center for Immunization Research; Sherry Madera, Chief Industry and Government Affairs Officer, London Stock Exchange Group; Magnus Ekbom, Chief Strategy Officer, Lazada Group and Chief Executive Officer (Acting), Lazada Malaysia; Myrna Cabotaje, Undersecretary, Department of Health, Philippines; Ketsuda Supradit, International Economic Advisor, Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance, Thailand; Janti Soeripto, President and CEO, Save the Children US; Inger Ashing, CEO, Save the Children International; Robert Guild, Chief Sector Officer, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, ADB; and Patrick Osewe, Chief, Health Sector Group, ADB.
SEADS for Recovery
#SEADS2021 will look at policy responses to support recovery; harnessing big data and technology to revitalize service delivery; fostering green recovery; strengthening domestic resource mobilization to finance recovery; and reinventing smart cities—all through a post-COVID-19 lens.
The annual Southeast Asian Development Symposium is a flagship ADB knowledge event. Participants come from ministries of finance, planning, education, commerce, trade, science and technology, health, and other government agencies that are closely involved with innovation. Key leaders from the private sector, academia, and development organizations also participate in the symposium to learn and contribute insights and solutions that can support Southeast Asian economies in becoming prosperous, knowledge-based, and sustainable.
