
ACEF Speaker
Francesco Tornieri
Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion) ,
Asian Development Bank
Francesco Tornieri, Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion)Human and Social Development Sector Office (HSD-SG). Francesco Tornieri brings over 25 years of experience in multilateral development banks, specializing in social development with a focus on gender equality, social inclusion, and social justice. Since joining ADB in 2004, he has pioneered gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)-responsive governance, policy, legal reform, and empowerment initiatives across Asia and the Pacific. He was instrumental in the launch of the Inclusive Energy Solutions Program in the South Asia Department (SARD) and related ADB-World Bank We-POWER initiatives. Until 2023, he led the South Asia GESI Team and served as the CSO/NGO and impact evaluation focal point in SARD. During his tenure, Francesco enhanced the visibility of intersectionality within ADB operations, spearheading the finalization of the SARD GESI Framework (2023) and advocating for a greater emphasis on intersecting disadvantaged identities, including age, disability, and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Prior to his work at ADB, he was engaged with the World Bank's Africa Region (1996-2004), focusing on the Gender and Law Program in West and East Sub-Saharan Africa, and has provided independent consulting for various Sub-Saharan countries.