10-11 September 2013

MDG Nag speaks at Eurasia 2013 Emerging Markets Forum in Kazakhstan

MDG Nag spoke at the high-level forum, held in Astana on 10-11 September, that addressed Kazakhstan 2050 which sets forth a bold vision of the country joining the ranks of the top 30 developed countries by 2050. Keynoted by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and with sessions chaired by Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov, the forum brought together the government's senior leadership, foreign dignitaries, development partners, and leading national and international experts. MDG Nag emphasized human development, good governance, strong institutions, and global and regional integration as key drivers to a sustainable, diversified, and modern knowledge economy.

ADB and AFD reinforce collaboration on strategic areas

MDG Nag led the 7th ADB-AFD High Level Retreat at the Agence Française de Développement headquarters in Paris on 5-6 September. Updates on strategic directions and partnership, middle-income countries operation, urban transport and railway, TA resources leveraging, and inclusive business were discussed in the meeting. Earlier, MDG Nag spoke on the need to promote a more sustainable development of an inclusive Asia to meet the challenges of the Asian century during a presentation hosted by AFD on 4 September.

MDG Nag stresses on inclusive and green growth in Mumbai

MDG Nag on 2-3 September spoke on the challenges faced by emerging economies in achieving growth which is also inclusive and green at the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research. Mr. Nag emphasized the need for equal access to opportunities by improving capacity and creating social safety nets for the vulnerable. He also noted the need for developed and developing economies to take concerted efforts in restraining carbon emissions. Over 100 faculty, students, and policy makers participated in a discussion.

MDG Nag speaks on RCI in New Delhi

MDG Nag on 29 August delivered a seminar on "Regional Cooperation and Integration in Asia: New Pathways for South Asia" at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. He stressed on the importance of connectivity, both hardware and software, to be able to realize the potential of the region and the need to effectively harness the gains from the so-called "garlanding" of various RCI initiatives. Over 40 participants including academics, diplomats, policy makers, media persons, and staff from donor agencies, actively contributed to discussions.

MDG Nag visits small cities and towns development project in PRC

During a visit to Liaoning Province on 1-2 August, MDG Nag, accompanied by PRCM Country Director Hamid Sharif, met the province's Vice Governor Xue Heng. They exchanged views on sustainable rural-urban infrastructure development. MDG Nag also visited project sites in Dandong.

MDG Nag meets senior PRC government officials in Beijing

MDG Nag, accompanied by PRCM Country Director Hamid Sharif and SPD Deputy Director General Indu Bhushan, met on 30 July with senior government officials in Beijing for policy consultations and discussed areas of future cooperation. Earlier, MDG Nag spoke at the Beijing Normal University and met its President Liu Chuansheng. MDG and CD Sharif also launched ADB's Chinese website in PRCM.

MDG Nag attends G8 Social Impact Investment Forum

MDG Nag shared his views on how social impact investment could contribute to inclusive growth in Asia at the forum, hosted by the UK government in London. He also spoke about ADB's initiatives to nurture and support inclusive business and social enterprises in the region. Senior politicians, philanthropists, and impact investors attended the event.

MDG Nag visits Samoa

MDG Nag met with Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and other senior ministers of the Cabinet, and held consultations with executing and implementing agencies, private sector, and development partners. MDG Nag also visited sites of the Power Sector Expansion and Education Sector Program Phase II projects and saw firsthand the devastation caused by the recent cyclone.

MDG Nag engages stakeholders in Washington, DC

MDG Nag spoke about Asia's challenges on ensuring inclusive and green growth amid a modest rebound in the global economy during presentations at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. MDG Nag also met with officials at the US Treasury Department during his visit.
 

MDG Nag speaks on Asia's challenges for sustainable growth in Europe

MDG Nag on 31 January spoke at the European Institute of Asian Studies in Brussels on key challenges for sustainable growth in Asia. He then led a roundtable on "Asia: Exiting the Fast Lane" at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. MDG Nag also met staff from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's office in London and held one-on-one meetings with journalists in both cities.

ED Sander and MDG Nag hold high-level meetings in Germany

ED Sander and MDG Nag met in Berlin with ADB Governor for Germany Gudrun Kopp, members of the German Parliament, and senior officials from relevant ministries to discuss enhancing cooperation in a number of areas. On 30 January, a roundtable meeting was held in Frankfurt with senior leaders of Frankfurt-based institutions, development agencies, and the private sector. MDG Nag also spoke to local journalists.

MDG Nag addresses CII Partnership Summit in Agra, India

MDG Nag chaired a high-level panel of the Confederation of Indian Industry that discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with the rise of emerging economies as new growth centers. The panel advocated rebalancing of drivers of growth, generation of productive jobs, and greater sharing of innovations and global public goods by the advanced economies with the developing world, as ways of overcoming these challenges.
 

MDG Nag joins African Development Bank's Evaluation Week in Tunis

MDG Nag emphasized how evaluation could contribute to enhancing development effectiveness during a panel session. The session was joined by AfDB President Kaberuka and other MDB representatives. Mr. Nag also made a presentation to the AfDB Board on regional cooperation and integration and shared Asia's experience and lessons learned.
 

MDG Nag says Asia must also focus on quality of growth

As Asia continues to grow, it also needs to focus on the quality of growth and address rising inequality and environmental deterioration, said MDG Nag at a public lecture organized by The Asia Foundation and the World Affairs Council in San Francisco on 29 November. At a public seminar on 30 November at Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University, MDG Nag reiterated that Asia must pursue inclusive growth, including gender equality and green growth.
View video on the World Affairs Council website.

MDG Nag discusses Asia's challenges at speaking events in Canada

In public lectures and roundtable discussions in Saskatoon and Toronto, MDG Nag stressed that Asia must address the immediate challenges of the global economic slowdown while pursuing inclusive and green growth. He also participated in high-level bilateral meetings with senior government officials, including Premier of Saskatchewan Brad Wall, and gave interviews to Canadian media. The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada co-hosted the events as part of its National Conversation on Asia series.

MDG Nag discusses Asia's development challenges at World Economic Forum on India

At the WEF plenary sessions in Gurgaon on 6-8 November, MDG Nag stressed that measuresunderway to reform the region's governance system should be sustained, and more concerted efforts are required to change mindsets and address discrimination against women. MDG Nag also led discussions on initiatives to strengthen the financial services sector and accelerate infrastructure development, and gave interviews to key international and local media.

MDG Nag stresses Asia's need for inclusive and green growth

MDG Nag stressed that Asia must simultaneously pursue inclusive and green growth policies to achieve sustainable growth, at a public lecture on 22 October at the London School of Economics. He noted that many countries are already making inclusive and green growth a cornerstone of their development strategies. Earlier at the Oxford University India Symposium on 21 October, MDG Nag said that India should continue to enhance its welfare schemes, particularly by improving cost and implementation effectiveness, in order to support government efforts to eliminate poverty. Mr. Nag was speaking at a panel on the topic "What is the future of India as a welfare state?". MDG Nag also gave interviews to several key broadcast media and The Economist in London.

MDG Nag speaks on innovative finance and Asia's future

MDG Nag spoke at forums in Milan, Italy on 16-18 October - one on innovative finance that brought together private funds, commercial banks, and development partners to discuss various options and approaches. The ASEAN Infrastructure Fund was highlighted as an innovative effort to mobilize savings for investments. At the Institute for International Political Studies, MDG Nag spoke on Asia's future, focusing on its increasing weight in the global economy and the need to address rising inequality within countries and across the region.

MDG Nag joins Forum for Emerging Leaders of Emerging Markets

MDG Nag shared his vision of Asia in 2050 and insights on how to cope with challenges ahead in realizing this vision in a roundtable discussion at the inaugural meeting of the "Youth Forum," organized by the Emerging Markets Forum on 4 October in Singapore. The forum brought together about 50 outstanding young thought leaders from Asia and Latin America to nurture their long-term vision for the future.

MDG Nag speaks at book launch of Asia 2050 Chinese edition in Beijing

MDG Nag delivered the keynote speech at the launch of the Chinese edition of the ADB-commissioned study, Asia 2050: Realizing the Asian Century. MDG Nag highlighted the challenges that Asian leaders will have to overcome to realize an "Asian century" of "shared global prosperity." The seminar, organized by the Emerging Markets Institute co-founded by the Emerging Markets Forum, and the Beijing Normal University, was attended by a group of renowned think tanks, business leaders, and experts.

MDG Nag participates in high-level policy summit on ASEAN

MDG Nag highlighted the progress made and the challenges ahead for continued ASEAN economic integration in an interactive session entitled "Keeping Track of ASEAN Integration," organized on the occasion of ASEAN's 45th anniversary in Brussels. MDG Nag also met with high-level representatives of the European Commission, Luxembourg's Ministry of Finance, and European Investment Bank to discuss issues of mutual interest and strengthen partnership relations.

MDG Nag speaks at World Economic Forum in Bangkok

MDG Nag, at the WEF sessions on 30 May-1 June, stressed the importance of focusing on sustaining inclusive growth in Asia through regional cooperation, and acceleration of new modalities of public-private partnership for infrastructure development by leveraging on ADB's resources.
 

MDG Nag promotes private sector engagement in development, Ottawa

MDG Nag served on an expert panel at the Canadian International Development Agency's Leadership Council Annual Conference 2012 on ways to galvanize the private sector in development. On his visit to Ottawa, he also spoke at Carleton University on, "Asia: Where is it Headed?." MDG Nag also met senior government officials at the Department of Finance, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

MDG Nag discusses short- and long-term development challenges in Asia, Washington

MDG Nag on 22-23 May highlighted Asia's short- and long-term development challenges, including the need to address widening economic inequalities during a visit to Washington, D.C. He spoke on development effectiveness at the Brookings Institution, met with US Treasury officials, engaged Senate and House committee staff members, and participated in a Newsmakers press conference at the National Press Club.

MDG Nag discusses Asia's future in Dublin

MDG Nag participated in a round table on Asia's future, challenges, and policy options at the Institute for International and European Affairs in Dublin on 11 May. He stressed that despite Asia's great strides in reducing poverty, there is an unfinished agenda that requires attention to rising inequality in the region, fostering inclusive growth, physical and human capital investments, strong governance, and more efficient green technologies. MDG Nag also met with Government of Ireland counterparts to follow up on ADF and discuss mutual priorities.

MDG Nag speaks at Bellwether Europe 2012 in London

MDG Nag spoke at a panel discussion organized by The Economist group on 10 May. He noted the potential opportunities for Europe to benefit from increased south-south trade and the need to synergize benefits from growing economic complementarities between Asia and Europe. Earlier, MDG Nag also held consultations with DFID on issues of mutual interest and made a presentation on how ADB is transforming itself into a more accountable and transparent institution.

MDG Nag meets Indian media in Delhi ahead of Annual Meeting

MDG Nag spoke with select top tier and key local media in New Delhi yesterday, as part of the Annual Meeting outreach activity. He focused discussions on growing inequality and the need for India to prioritize on key reforms to sustain economic growth.

MDG conducts pre-Annual Meeting media outreach in Singapore

MDG Nag gave interviews to targeted top-tier international media to discuss developing Asia's response to the global financial crisis, and challenges that policymakers have to address, including growing inequality, inflation, and governance. The interviews are part of the media outreach campaign to raise awareness of key issues that will be discussed at ADB's 45th Annual Meeting in Manila from 2 to 5 May.

MDG Nag addresses foreign correspondents ahead of the Annual Meeting

MDG Nag addressed the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines. He discussed the economic outlook for Asia and the Philippines, the need to make growth more inclusive, and ADB's 45th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors. Philippine Country Office, Country Director Neeraj Jain was also present.

MDG Nag speaks at Credit Suisse's 15th Asian Investment Conference

MDG Nag joined Austan Goolsbee, former chair, Council of Economic Advisers for the Obama Administration; and Andrew Garthwaite, global equity strategist, investment banking at Credit Suisse, in reviewing global economic events and leadership at a forum attended by leading private sector investors and executives in Hong Kong, China. MDG Nag emphasized that Asia's global economic leadership by 2050 is plausible but not pre-ordained, and that significant speed bumps such as growing inequality, climate change, and governance remain to be tackled.

MDG Nag opens Third Business Opportunities Fair (BOF)

MDG Nag, in his remarks, emphasized the spirit of stronger partnership under rising challenges and expanding business opportunities in the region at the 2-day fair in Headquarters. The BOF provides a platform for over 300 international consultants, manufacturers, and suppliers to network with each other and interact with ADB staff.

MDG Nag speaks on Asia's future, challenges, policy options in Tokyo

MDG Nag spoke at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan. He identified rising inequalities, energy security and efficiency, accelerating climate change, and massive urbanization as future challenges that Asian nations should cope with individually and collectively. Mr. Nag noted the need to develop a financial system that efficiently intermediates regional savings to meet investment needs. He also cited the importance of prudential regulation and governance mechanism to sustain a stable and sound financial system.

MDG Nag speaks on Asia's challenges in Stockholm

MDG Nag spoke on Asia's unfinished agenda for development toward 2050 at the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics seminar. Key issues included the middle-income trap, rising inequality, and governance and institutions' role in sustainable and equitable growth. An open forum tackled the emergence of India and the PRC, importance of ASEAN+3 for regional cooperation, peace and security, challenge of "greening" Asia, human capital development, and innovation.

MDG Nag speaks on realizing India's Look East Policy

MDG Nag addressed the 2012 "Look East" Economic Summit of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata. He highlighted the importance of India's North Eastern region as a strategic gateway between South Asia and East Asia. He also emphasized the need to strengthen India's Look East Policy, which will be crucial in realizing the full economic potential of India and the rest of Asia through enhanced regional connectivity and integration.

MDG Nag stresses labor-intensive manufacturing for India at World Economic Forum

MDG Nag on 13 November joined a plenary session on manufacturing for livelihood at the WEF's India Economic Summit in Mumbai. He cited the need for a more labor-intensive manufacturing sector to increase India's GDP growth and further reduce poverty. MDG also emphasized the need to strengthen governance to create an enabling situation that would further the growth of the manufacturing sector. He also gave interviews to local and international media.

MDG Nag speaks at Roundtable on Future Global 100 Initiative

MDG Nag discussed opportunities and challenges ahead and Asia's growing role in sustaining future global growth at the roundtable organized by Platinum Circle on 3 November in Hong Kong, China. The panel session was joined by Valentine Sendanyoye Rugwabiza, Deputy Director General, World Trade Organization; and Amadou Diallo, CEO, Africa and South Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding.

MDG Nag speaks at INSEAD's Global Leader Series and other events in Singapore

MDG Nag on 17 October, spoke at INSEAD's Global Leader Series, where he discussed the challenges future Asian leaders will have to meet to help realize a century of shared global prosperity. Read the speech.

On 18 October, MDG Nag participated in a panel discussion on Asia's place in the emerging global governance architecture as part of the Banyan event: "Ideas for an Asian Century" organized by The Economist magazine. During the day, he also spoke at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on Asia 2050. Read the speech.

MDG Nag addresses joint IMF-JICA conference in Tokyo

MDG Nag in his keynote speech highlighted the infrastructure gap and financing needs faced by the region, and shared insights on how regional resources could be channeled into infrastructure investment through improved financial intermediation system. The theme of the joint IMF-JICA conference was Sustaining Development in Low-Income Asia: Infrastructure Investment and Financial Sector Development.

MDG Nag discussed Asia 2050 highlights in London

MDG Nag delivered the keynote speech on Asia 2050 at the Asia Pacific Summit in the London Business School. He also shared highlights of the Asia 2050 study at a seminar organized by Chatham House on 3 October.

MDG Nag speaks on Asia's development issues on BBC's HARDtalk

MDG Nag was interviewed on BBC's HARDtalk program by Stephen Sackur on 4 October at the BBC studio in London. Various issues were discussed, including the global economic situation and its impact on Asia; the rising middle class in Asia; and development challenges related to corruption, infrastructure, and environment. HARDtalk has a global viewership of about 100 million, and is aired also over BBC World Service Radio. View on BBC website

MDG Nag presented the key messages of the Asia 2050 study at the UNDP in New York

MDG Nag presented the key messages of the Asia 2050 study at a symposium organized by UNDP in New York. MDG Nag also gave keynote speech at the American University (AU) in Washington, DC. and was joined by Shahid Javed Burki, former finance minister of Pakistan, and Amitav Acharya, AU professor in the discussion.

MDG Nag speaks at seminar on Asia 2050 in Jakarta

MDG Nag gave the keynote speech at the Asia 2050 seminar, attended by senior government officials and co-organized by ADB and the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS). MDG Nag and the Head of the Office of Regional Economic Integration also met with the Minister of BAPPENAS and the Minister of Trade. Read the speech.

MDG Nag speaks at the 83rd Annual General Meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata

MDG Nag spoke at the 83rd Annual General Meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Nag shared his thoughts on growth dynamics and supportive policy framework in the nexus of inclusion, equity, and development. He also emphasized that private sector-led and inclusive growth in India should be bolstered by predictable and transparent system of rules and regulations and good governance.

MDG addresses the International Conference on Climate Change

MDG Nag spoke at the opening session of the International Conference on Climate Change and Green Low Carbon Development in Beijing. MDG also met DG Zheng Xiaosong of the Ministry of Finance and other senior officials on 21 June and discussed regional and ADB-PRC cooperation. Earlier, he had spoken to students and faculty of Tsinghua University's School of Public Policy and Management on "The Asian Century: Plausible but not Preordained".

MDG Nag speaks at World Economic Forum on East Asia in Jakarta

At the WEF, MDG Nag spoke at a plenary session on "Inclusive Asia: Reinvigorating the Millennium Development Goals." He also delivered a speech on infrastructure and financing in the context of avoiding middle-income trap at a seminar organized at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Read the speech.

Asia 2050 Consultations in Dhaka

At the Asia 2050 study consultations in Dhaka, MDG Nag highlighted the importance of inclusive growth, good governance, and preservation of scarce resources as factors critical for the success of Asia. Mr. Nag emphasized the key role of Bangladesh in regional cooperation in South Asia and as an important bridge between South and Southeast Asia. The consultations were organized with the Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance.

MDG Nag delivers inaugural C.K. Prahalad Memorial Lecture at Indian Institute of Management in Kozhikode

In his lecture, The Rise of India: Getting to the Top of the Pyramid, MDG Nag shared his thoughts with faculty, students, private sector, and media at the IIM Kozhikode in Kerala, India. Mr. Nag urged the audience to embrace the vision of the late C.K. Prahalad - a professor and pioneer in corporate strategy and management - of bringing the innovation, energy, and capital of the private sector to help the poor by serving their needs, providing better training, health care and other services, and acting as an engine for jobs and social improvement.

Asia 2050 Consultations in Delhi

At the consultation for the Asia 2050 study in New Delhi, MDG Nag stressed the need for regional cooperation to tackle the economic and social challenges facing Asia. The consultation meeting was attended by policymakers, academics and researchers from India and was organized with the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India.

MDG Nag speaks on extending India's Look East Policy for greater Asian connectivity and cooperation, Kolkata

The MDG delivered the keynote address for the Executive Committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata. He highlighted the significant economic and social benefits of extending India's "Look East Policy" through greater regional connectivity with South, Southeast, and East Asia.