Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition and Ensuring Energy Security and Affordability – Time for Urgent Action Now.
3 – 7 June 2024 | ADB Headquarters, Manila
Plenary Speakers
ALL PLENARY SPEAKERS
Ashok Lavasa
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Mr. Ashok Lavasa is the Vice President for Private Sector Operations and Public Private Partnerships (VPPP) with the Asian Development Bank. He assumed office on 1 September 2020. Prior to joining ADB, Mr. Lavasa was an Election Commissioner in India from January 2018 to August 2020, a constitutional position appointed by the President of India. Mr. Lavasa served for nearly four decades with various government agencies in India including as Union Finance Secretary, Secretary Environment & Climate Change, and Secretary Civil Aviation. He also served as Additional Secretary and Special Secretary for Power. As a senior member of the Indian Administrative Service, Mr. Lavasa was associated with a broad array of public policy and program implementation initiatives covering the finance, power, environment and climate change, civil aviation, infrastructure, and tourism sectors. He led the official Indian delegation for climate negotiations for the Paris Agreement at COP21. He is an author of a book titled An Uncivil Servant (Rupa: 2006) and has written several book chapters and academic papers covering climate change, economic policy, and energy. He holds an MPhil from Madras University, India, an MBA from Southern Cross University in Australia, and an MA from Delhi University, India.
Read Full BioAshok Lavasa
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Bio
Mr. Ashok Lavasa is the Vice President for Private Sector Operations and Public Private Partnerships (VPPP) with the Asian Development Bank. He assumed office on 1 September 2020. Prior to joining ADB, Mr. Lavasa was an Election Commissioner in India from January 2018 to August 2020, a constitutional position appointed by the President of India. Mr. Lavasa served for nearly four decades with various government agencies in India including as Union Finance Secretary, Secretary Environment & Climate Change, and Secretary Civil Aviation. He also served as Additional Secretary and Special Secretary for Power. As a senior member of the Indian Administrative Service, Mr. Lavasa was associated with a broad array of public policy and program implementation initiatives covering the finance, power, environment and climate change, civil aviation, infrastructure, and tourism sectors. He led the official Indian delegation for climate negotiations for the Paris Agreement at COP21. He is an author of a book titled An Uncivil Servant (Rupa: 2006) and has written several book chapters and academic papers covering climate change, economic policy, and energy. He holds an MPhil from Madras University, India, an MBA from Southern Cross University in Australia, and an MA from Delhi University, India.
Bruno Carrasco
Asian Development Bank
Bruno Carrasco leads ADB-wide knowledge, innovation, policies and strategies in all thematic and sector operation areas and ensures compliance with environment and social safeguards policies. He oversees the administration of trust funds and global funding initiatives and provides advice to Management on strategic and policy matters, work plans, and major operational matters. He joined ADB 25 years ago and has served in countries across all its regional departments. He holds a doctorate degree in economics from the University of Essex.
Read Full BioBruno Carrasco
Asian Development Bank
Bio
Bruno Carrasco leads ADB-wide knowledge, innovation, policies and strategies in all thematic and sector operation areas and ensures compliance with environment and social safeguards policies. He oversees the administration of trust funds and global funding initiatives and provides advice to Management on strategic and policy matters, work plans, and major operational matters. He joined ADB 25 years ago and has served in countries across all its regional departments. He holds a doctorate degree in economics from the University of Essex.
Dinesh Kumar Ghimire
Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal
Dinesh Kumar Ghimire is the Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Government of Nepal. He is, currently, the chairperson of three companies viz: Vidyut Utpadan company Limited (VUCL), Rashtriya Prasharan Grid Company Limited (RPGCL), and the Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited (HIDCL) all under the Ministry of Energy Water Resources and Irrigation. He is also on the Board of Directors of Nepal Electricity Authority. He has been associated with the power sector of Nepal for more than three decades. During his service in various government organizations, he was involved in planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation of power projects, Project Development Agreement negotiation, private sector promotion, promoting renewable energy projects, etc. Mr. Ghimire has led many bilateral negotiations regarding water and power issues with neighboring countries like India, China, and Bangladesh. He also served as a Governing Board Member from Nepal in SAARC Energy Centre and has been engaged in Regional and Sub-regional forums like BBIN, SASEC, SAARC, and BIMSTEC. Apart from his full-time service in the Government, Mr. Ghimire has teaching experience in various engineering colleges viz: Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk, Kathmandu Engineering College, Advanced College of Engineering and Management, Katipur City College and Khwopa College of Engineering both at Masters and Bachelor levels. Ghimire received his M. Tech. in Hydroelectric System Engineering and Management from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India, and his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Rajasthan University, Jaipur, India.
Read Full BioDinesh Kumar Ghimire
Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal
Bio
Dinesh Kumar Ghimire is the Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Government of Nepal. He is, currently, the chairperson of three companies viz: Vidyut Utpadan company Limited (VUCL), Rashtriya Prasharan Grid Company Limited (RPGCL), and the Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited (HIDCL) all under the Ministry of Energy Water Resources and Irrigation. He is also on the Board of Directors of Nepal Electricity Authority. He has been associated with the power sector of Nepal for more than three decades. During his service in various government organizations, he was involved in planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation of power projects, Project Development Agreement negotiation, private sector promotion, promoting renewable energy projects, etc. Mr. Ghimire has led many bilateral negotiations regarding water and power issues with neighboring countries like India, China, and Bangladesh. He also served as a Governing Board Member from Nepal in SAARC Energy Centre and has been engaged in Regional and Sub-regional forums like BBIN, SASEC, SAARC, and BIMSTEC. Apart from his full-time service in the Government, Mr. Ghimire has teaching experience in various engineering colleges viz: Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk, Kathmandu Engineering College, Advanced College of Engineering and Management, Katipur City College and Khwopa College of Engineering both at Masters and Bachelor levels. Ghimire received his M. Tech. in Hydroelectric System Engineering and Management from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India, and his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Rajasthan University, Jaipur, India.
Dr. Reihana Mohideen
Nossal Institute and Climate CATCH Lab, The University Of Melbourne
Dr. Reihana Mohideen is an electrical engineer leading the work on the clean energy transition towards sustainable systems, integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), at the Nossal Institute for Global Health and the Climate CATCH Lab, at The University of Melbourne, Australia. Her research analyses advanced technology trends in the low-carbon energy transition in developing countries with specific applications to South Asia, as well as the opportunities to simultaneously leapfrog technology and social equity gaps. She completed both a BEng degree in electrical engineering (1981) and her postdoctoral studies in renewable energy systems in Asia at The University of Melbourne (2015). She has worked in international development for more than ten years. Reihana Chairs the IEEE Standards Association Workstream on Gender Equality and Social inclusion and she is an Executive Committee member of IEEE Standards Association on Digital Inclusion (DIITA).
Read Full BioDr. Reihana Mohideen
Nossal Institute and Climate CATCH Lab, The University Of Melbourne
Bio
Dr. Reihana Mohideen is an electrical engineer leading the work on the clean energy transition towards sustainable systems, integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), at the Nossal Institute for Global Health and the Climate CATCH Lab, at The University of Melbourne, Australia. Her research analyses advanced technology trends in the low-carbon energy transition in developing countries with specific applications to South Asia, as well as the opportunities to simultaneously leapfrog technology and social equity gaps. She completed both a BEng degree in electrical engineering (1981) and her postdoctoral studies in renewable energy systems in Asia at The University of Melbourne (2015). She has worked in international development for more than ten years. Reihana Chairs the IEEE Standards Association Workstream on Gender Equality and Social inclusion and she is an Executive Committee member of IEEE Standards Association on Digital Inclusion (DIITA).
Hongpeng Liu
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Hongpeng Liu, Director, Energy Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Mr Liu is leading the energy team in ESCAP to promote regional cooperation on energy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement and the broader SDG agenda. His work ranges from organizing intergovernmental meetings/policy dialogues, developing knowledge products and providing technical assistance to support member States on sustainable energy development in Asia and the Pacific. He is a member of Technical Advisory Group on SDG7 under the UN-Energy which is the United Nations' mechanism for inter-agency collaboration in the field of energy.
Read Full BioHongpeng Liu
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Bio
Mr. Hongpeng Liu, Director, Energy Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Mr Liu is leading the energy team in ESCAP to promote regional cooperation on energy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement and the broader SDG agenda. His work ranges from organizing intergovernmental meetings/policy dialogues, developing knowledge products and providing technical assistance to support member States on sustainable energy development in Asia and the Pacific. He is a member of Technical Advisory Group on SDG7 under the UN-Energy which is the United Nations' mechanism for inter-agency collaboration in the field of energy.
Jamie Leather
Asian Development Bank
JAMIE LEATHER is the Chief of the Transport Sector Group at the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Leather has 30 years of experience in transport, working internationally with development organizations, governments, private sector and research institutions. Mr. Leather leads ADBs transport sector operations and overseas the strategic direction of ADBs knowledge, technical and financial support to its developing member countries, private sector clients, and partners. Mr. Leather obtained his Master of Science in transport planning and engineering from the Institute of Transport Studies, Leeds University (UK).
Read Full BioJamie Leather
Asian Development Bank
Bio
JAMIE LEATHER is the Chief of the Transport Sector Group at the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Leather has 30 years of experience in transport, working internationally with development organizations, governments, private sector and research institutions. Mr. Leather leads ADBs transport sector operations and overseas the strategic direction of ADBs knowledge, technical and financial support to its developing member countries, private sector clients, and partners. Mr. Leather obtained his Master of Science in transport planning and engineering from the Institute of Transport Studies, Leeds University (UK).
Joshua Wycliffe
International Solar Alliance
Mr. Joshua Wycliffe is an international executive with a demonstrated 25-year history-leading and mentoring diverse teams. An inclusive leader who has designed and built high performing administrative systems, processes and teams across geographies ; he is a global expert with best practice virtuosity-visioning, policy excellence, Financial Management, Organisation Transformation, ERP & IT. A truster partner who has mobilized resources for large environmental portfolios. He holds a Master’s in Management(Public Service Administration ) from Massey University, New Zealand and his last designation was that of Permanent Secretary (Chief Executive ) with Ministry of Environment (Waterways, Local Government Urban Development and Housing), Fiji. He is currently the CHIEF OF OPERATIONS with INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE at the ISA Secretariat
Read Full BioJoshua Wycliffe
International Solar Alliance
Bio
Mr. Joshua Wycliffe is an international executive with a demonstrated 25-year history-leading and mentoring diverse teams. An inclusive leader who has designed and built high performing administrative systems, processes and teams across geographies ; he is a global expert with best practice virtuosity-visioning, policy excellence, Financial Management, Organisation Transformation, ERP & IT. A truster partner who has mobilized resources for large environmental portfolios. He holds a Master’s in Management(Public Service Administration ) from Massey University, New Zealand and his last designation was that of Permanent Secretary (Chief Executive ) with Ministry of Environment (Waterways, Local Government Urban Development and Housing), Fiji. He is currently the CHIEF OF OPERATIONS with INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE at the ISA Secretariat
Masatsugu Asakawa
Asian Development Bank
Masatsugu Asakawa is the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Chairperson of ADB’s Board of Directors. He was elected President by ADB’s Board of Governors and assumed office on 17 January 2020. Prior to joining ADB, he served as Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and has a close-to-four decades’ career at the Ministry of Finance with diverse professional experiences that cut across both domestic and international fronts. In the immediate aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, Mr. Asakawa, in his capacity as Executive Assistant to Prime Minister Taro Aso, took part in the first G20 Leaders’ Summit Meeting in November 2008. He was instrumental in orchestrating a globally coordinated financial package to abate the financial crisis, including a $100 billion loan from Japan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Then in 2016, in his capacity as Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, he took on a leading role for the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Sendai under the Japanese presidency, where a sustainable and inclusive development agenda was extensively discussed. Most recently, he served as Finance Deputy for the G20 meetings under the Japanese presidency, playing a pivotal role for the success of the G20 Osaka Summit as well as the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Fukuoka. Some of his outstanding achievements in Osaka include endorsement by the G20 Leaders of the “G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment” and the “G20 Shared Understanding on the Importance of UHC Financing in Developing Countries”. Before these, he had occupied various prominent positions within the Ministry of Finance, including director positions in charge of development policy issues, foreign exchange markets and international tax policy. Mr. Asakawa’s professional experience extends beyond the realms of the Japanese government. Most notably, he served as Chief Advisor to ADB President Kimimasa Tarumizu between 1989 and 1992, during which time he spearheaded the creation of a new office that focuses on strategic planning. Also, he had frequent engagement with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in such positions as Chair for Committee on Fiscal Affairs (2011-2016). Furthermore, he was a senior staff at the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF (1996-2000). In the meantime, he gave lectures as Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Economic Science, Saitama University (2006-2009), and at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo (2012-2015). Mr. Asakawa obtained his BA from University of Tokyo (Economics Faculty) in 1981, and MPA from Princeton University, USA, in 1985.
Read Full BioMasatsugu Asakawa
Asian Development Bank
Bio
Masatsugu Asakawa is the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Chairperson of ADB’s Board of Directors. He was elected President by ADB’s Board of Governors and assumed office on 17 January 2020. Prior to joining ADB, he served as Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and has a close-to-four decades’ career at the Ministry of Finance with diverse professional experiences that cut across both domestic and international fronts. In the immediate aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, Mr. Asakawa, in his capacity as Executive Assistant to Prime Minister Taro Aso, took part in the first G20 Leaders’ Summit Meeting in November 2008. He was instrumental in orchestrating a globally coordinated financial package to abate the financial crisis, including a $100 billion loan from Japan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Then in 2016, in his capacity as Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, he took on a leading role for the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Sendai under the Japanese presidency, where a sustainable and inclusive development agenda was extensively discussed. Most recently, he served as Finance Deputy for the G20 meetings under the Japanese presidency, playing a pivotal role for the success of the G20 Osaka Summit as well as the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Fukuoka. Some of his outstanding achievements in Osaka include endorsement by the G20 Leaders of the “G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment” and the “G20 Shared Understanding on the Importance of UHC Financing in Developing Countries”. Before these, he had occupied various prominent positions within the Ministry of Finance, including director positions in charge of development policy issues, foreign exchange markets and international tax policy. Mr. Asakawa’s professional experience extends beyond the realms of the Japanese government. Most notably, he served as Chief Advisor to ADB President Kimimasa Tarumizu between 1989 and 1992, during which time he spearheaded the creation of a new office that focuses on strategic planning. Also, he had frequent engagement with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in such positions as Chair for Committee on Fiscal Affairs (2011-2016). Furthermore, he was a senior staff at the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF (1996-2000). In the meantime, he gave lectures as Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Economic Science, Saitama University (2006-2009), and at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo (2012-2015). Mr. Asakawa obtained his BA from University of Tokyo (Economics Faculty) in 1981, and MPA from Princeton University, USA, in 1985.
Michael Schiffer
USAID
From 2012 to 2022, Mr. Michael Schiffer was a senior advisor and counselor on the Democratic Staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs. Before joining the Department of Defense, he was a program officer at the Stanley Foundation, responsible for the Foundation's Asia programs as well as a range of other U.S. national and global security issues and in 2004-2005 was a Council on Foreign Relations Hitachi International Affairs Fellow in Japan. From 1995 to 2004, he worked on the staff of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), including as her senior national security adviser and legislative director. Prior to that, he was director of international security programs at New York University's Center for War, Peace, and the News Media and was co-manager of the Poipu Bed and Breakfast Inn in Poipu, Kauai. Mr. Schiffer received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and New York University.
Read Full BioMichael Schiffer
USAID
Bio
From 2012 to 2022, Mr. Michael Schiffer was a senior advisor and counselor on the Democratic Staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs. Before joining the Department of Defense, he was a program officer at the Stanley Foundation, responsible for the Foundation's Asia programs as well as a range of other U.S. national and global security issues and in 2004-2005 was a Council on Foreign Relations Hitachi International Affairs Fellow in Japan. From 1995 to 2004, he worked on the staff of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), including as her senior national security adviser and legislative director. Prior to that, he was director of international security programs at New York University's Center for War, Peace, and the News Media and was co-manager of the Poipu Bed and Breakfast Inn in Poipu, Kauai. Mr. Schiffer received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and New York University.
Peter Storey
PFAN
Peter Storey is a financing professional, specialized in developing countries and transition economies with significant expertise in renewable energy as well as other infrastructure sectors. He has held senior positions with major European banks and project developers and has over 20 years of experience of working on multi-disciplinary advisory and financing mandates and of structuring and developing projects. Peter is a Global Coordinator of the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN). PFAN is a multi-lateral public private partnership which connects Clean Energy projects with investment in developing countries.
Read Full BioPeter Storey
PFAN
Bio
Peter Storey is a financing professional, specialized in developing countries and transition economies with significant expertise in renewable energy as well as other infrastructure sectors. He has held senior positions with major European banks and project developers and has over 20 years of experience of working on multi-disciplinary advisory and financing mandates and of structuring and developing projects. Peter is a Global Coordinator of the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN). PFAN is a multi-lateral public private partnership which connects Clean Energy projects with investment in developing countries.
Priyantha Wijayatunga
Asian Development Bank
Priyantha Wijayatunga has over 30 years of professional experience, which includes 14 years in Asian Development Bank (ADB). Before his current role as the Chief of Energy Sector Group, he was the Director of South Asia Energy Division. Priyantha served as the founder Director General of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and as a Senior Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. He has extensively contributed in the areas of energy policy and regulation, energy planning and clean energy development. Priyantha holds a Doctorate in Power Systems Economics from Imperial College London.
Read Full BioPriyantha Wijayatunga
Asian Development Bank
Bio
Priyantha Wijayatunga has over 30 years of professional experience, which includes 14 years in Asian Development Bank (ADB). Before his current role as the Chief of Energy Sector Group, he was the Director of South Asia Energy Division. Priyantha served as the founder Director General of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and as a Senior Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. He has extensively contributed in the areas of energy policy and regulation, energy planning and clean energy development. Priyantha holds a Doctorate in Power Systems Economics from Imperial College London.
Ramesh Subramaniam
Asian Development Bank
Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam has been with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for over 25 years, since March 1997. He has worked in different functions and areas in over 25 countries across the various sub-regions of Asia and the Pacific. In his current capacity as Director General of the Southeast Asia Department (SERD) from July 2017, he is in charge of ADB’s relationship with the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste, as well as all of its sovereign engagement. He has been a member of various Global Agenda/Future Councils of the World Economic Forum (WEF) since 2012 and currently serves as the co-chair of the ASEAN Hub of WEF’s Sustainable Development Investment Partnership. With a talent pool of over 430 globally and locally recruited staff, SERD has over $25 billion in projects under implementation. SERD also has several ongoing policy and structural reform programs with over $12 billion in funds disbursed and under monitoring. ADB’s new sovereign commitments in Southeast Asia stand at around $7 billion per year in transport, energy, urban, agriculture and natural resources, human development, finance, and public management sectors, besides regional cooperation and integration. Since February 2020, Mr. Subramaniam has been steering ADB’s work in the sub-region to help countries in their COVID-19 response. ADB mobilized close to $6 billion in exceptional financing for economic and health sector measures in Southeast Asia. The principal focus of the Southeast Asia Department from 2021 onwards is on post-pandemic recovery and helping the region deal effectively with the impact of climate change. The department has adopted the “3M Approach": mainstreaming climate change in all of ADB’s work; mobilizing resources to support climate adaptation and mitigation; and messaging on the need for just and affordable climate transition. Mr. Subramaniam has also served as the director general of ADB's Procurement, Portfolio and Financial Management Department (2015–2017); deputy director general of SERD (2013–2015); senior director in the Office of Regional Economic Integration (2011–2013); director of public management and financial sector (2007–2010) as well as director of urban infrastructure (2010–2011) in Central and West Asia; and principal economist and deputy country director in Indonesia (2003–2007). With a strong focus on policy and institutional reforms across the region, Mr. Subramaniam seeks to help the region’s developing member countries reduce poverty, achieve equitable growth, and attract greater private sector investments. He has led several important initiatives such as the establishment of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund, various critical post-crisis counter-cyclical reform and restructuring programs in many countries, as well as post-disaster reconstruction projects across the Asia and the Pacific. The ASEAN Policy Network and the ASEAN Innovation Hub were established under his leadership in 2017. He also oversaw the establishment of the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility. Among other aspects of his work, Mr. Subramaniam is most humbled by his role in formulating ADB’s support to developing member countries after several devastating disasters, including the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami; the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake; the 2006 Pakistan earthquake; the 2009 Pakistan floods; the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines; the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia; and most recently the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. In parallel, Mr. Subramaniam has maintained strong interest in education as an instrument for change. Improving social service delivery has been a key part of his support for public sector reforms in many countries. Outside of ADB, he is involved in a range of service activities in livelihood, healthcare, and education, with the aim of promoting basic yet fundamental human values of love, truth, peace, right conduct, and non-violence in society overall. Mr. Subramaniam has an MA in economics from the University of Madras, India (1988) and a PhD in economics from McMaster University, Canada, where he was also a lecturer (1990–1993). He has been a research fellow on industry at the University of St. Andrews in the United Kingdom from December 1993 to January 1994, and a Rockefeller fellow at Yale University Economic Growth Center from February 1994 to March 1997.
Read Full BioRamesh Subramaniam
Asian Development Bank
Bio
Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam has been with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for over 25 years, since March 1997. He has worked in different functions and areas in over 25 countries across the various sub-regions of Asia and the Pacific. In his current capacity as Director General of the Southeast Asia Department (SERD) from July 2017, he is in charge of ADB’s relationship with the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste, as well as all of its sovereign engagement. He has been a member of various Global Agenda/Future Councils of the World Economic Forum (WEF) since 2012 and currently serves as the co-chair of the ASEAN Hub of WEF’s Sustainable Development Investment Partnership. With a talent pool of over 430 globally and locally recruited staff, SERD has over $25 billion in projects under implementation. SERD also has several ongoing policy and structural reform programs with over $12 billion in funds disbursed and under monitoring. ADB’s new sovereign commitments in Southeast Asia stand at around $7 billion per year in transport, energy, urban, agriculture and natural resources, human development, finance, and public management sectors, besides regional cooperation and integration. Since February 2020, Mr. Subramaniam has been steering ADB’s work in the sub-region to help countries in their COVID-19 response. ADB mobilized close to $6 billion in exceptional financing for economic and health sector measures in Southeast Asia. The principal focus of the Southeast Asia Department from 2021 onwards is on post-pandemic recovery and helping the region deal effectively with the impact of climate change. The department has adopted the “3M Approach": mainstreaming climate change in all of ADB’s work; mobilizing resources to support climate adaptation and mitigation; and messaging on the need for just and affordable climate transition. Mr. Subramaniam has also served as the director general of ADB's Procurement, Portfolio and Financial Management Department (2015–2017); deputy director general of SERD (2013–2015); senior director in the Office of Regional Economic Integration (2011–2013); director of public management and financial sector (2007–2010) as well as director of urban infrastructure (2010–2011) in Central and West Asia; and principal economist and deputy country director in Indonesia (2003–2007). With a strong focus on policy and institutional reforms across the region, Mr. Subramaniam seeks to help the region’s developing member countries reduce poverty, achieve equitable growth, and attract greater private sector investments. He has led several important initiatives such as the establishment of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund, various critical post-crisis counter-cyclical reform and restructuring programs in many countries, as well as post-disaster reconstruction projects across the Asia and the Pacific. The ASEAN Policy Network and the ASEAN Innovation Hub were established under his leadership in 2017. He also oversaw the establishment of the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility. Among other aspects of his work, Mr. Subramaniam is most humbled by his role in formulating ADB’s support to developing member countries after several devastating disasters, including the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami; the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake; the 2006 Pakistan earthquake; the 2009 Pakistan floods; the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines; the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia; and most recently the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. In parallel, Mr. Subramaniam has maintained strong interest in education as an instrument for change. Improving social service delivery has been a key part of his support for public sector reforms in many countries. Outside of ADB, he is involved in a range of service activities in livelihood, healthcare, and education, with the aim of promoting basic yet fundamental human values of love, truth, peace, right conduct, and non-violence in society overall. Mr. Subramaniam has an MA in economics from the University of Madras, India (1988) and a PhD in economics from McMaster University, Canada, where he was also a lecturer (1990–1993). He has been a research fellow on industry at the University of St. Andrews in the United Kingdom from December 1993 to January 1994, and a Rockefeller fellow at Yale University Economic Growth Center from February 1994 to March 1997.
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