Year in Review 2018
Message from the Dean
Archive The year in review reports summarizes
ADBI's achievements, activities
and financial highlights for the year.In 2018, ADBI further strengthened its position as a leading provider of innovative, evidence-based policy research and capacity building and training (CBT) aimed at promoting greater poverty reduction and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific.
The Institute’s progress was reaffirmed by the 2018 Global Go to Think Tank Index Report published by the University of Pennsylvania. Notably, ADBI was named the world’s second-ranked government-affiliated think tank for a fifth straight year. It also rose one position to move into the report’s top 25 worldwide think tank ranking for the first time.
Research
Overview
ADBI held 50 research events with some 1,600 participants in 2018, as well as produced 10 research books and over 100 working papers, to promote policy innovation across Asia and the Pacific. Areas of focus ranged from addressing remaining poverty and economic inequality, to livable cities, to climate change mitigation.
The policy impact of ADBI research was significant, including guiding deposit insurance system establishment in Cambodia, efforts to confront household debt overhang in Thailand, IT infrastructure growth in India, and land trust development in Bangladesh.
Research Themes and Major Studies
Addressing Remaining Poverty and Reducing Inequalities
- Drivers of Labor Income Share in Asia
- Fintech and Financial Inclusion
- Human Capital Development for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity
- Finance and Innovation in Asia
- How Digital Innovation Can Increase Small Business Access to Finance in Asia and the Pacific
Tackling Climate Change, Building Climate and Disaster Resilience, and Enhancing Environmental Sustainability
- Globalization, Environment, and Climate Change
- Water Insecurity and Sanitation in Asia
- Finance for Climate Change
Making Cities More Livable
- Measuring Spatiotemporal Spillover Effects of Infrastructure Development in Asia
- Infrastructure Development and Finance in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Countries
Promoting Rural Development and Food Security
- Services-Led Development
- Leveraging SME Finance through Global Value Chains (GVCs) in Landlocked CAREC Countries
Strengthening Governance and Institutional Capacity
- Fintech and Financial Stability
Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration
- Globalization and Economic Stability
ADBI Research Books
- Avoiding the Middle-Income Trap in Asia: The Role of Trade, Manufacturing, and Finance
- Routledge Handbook of Banking and Finance in Asia
- Kuznets beyond Kuznets: Structural Transformation and Income Inequality in the Era of Globalization in Asia
- Postal Savings: Reaching Everyone in Asia
- Wealthy but Unhealthy: Overweight and Obesity in Asia and the Pacific: Trends, Costs, and Policies for Better Health
- Mission Incomplete: Reflating Japan's Economy (second edition)
- Global Shocks and the New Global and Regional Financial Architecture: Asian Perspectives
- Slowdown in the People’s Republic of China: Structural Factors and the Implications for Asia
- The Implications of Ultra-Low and Negative Interest Rates for Asia
- Financing Infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific: Capturing Impacts and New Sources
Capacity Building and Training
Overview
ADBI hosted 59 capacity building and training (CBT) events in 2018 to support policy development for advancing poverty reduction and sustainable growth. They convened 1,926 participants, including 875 officials from Asian Development Bank (ADB) developing member countries (DMCs).
CBT events included 31 course-based training programs, 25 policy dialogues, 2 graduate-level courses administered with Japanese universities, and e-learning. They provided wide regional coverage across Central and West Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
CBT Priority Themes and Select Major Events
Addressing Remaining Poverty and Reducing Inequalities
- Workshop on Strategies for Financing Social Protection to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
- Tokyo Fiscal Forum
- Workshop on Overweight and Obesity in Asia and the Pacific
- 8th Asia-Pacific Financial Inclusion Forum
Accelerating Progress in Gender Equality
- Policy Dialogue Toward Gender-Focused Governance Reforms
- Asia Women Leaders Program
Tackling Climate Change, Building Climate and Disaster Resilience, and Enhancing Environmental Sustainability
- Workshop on Developing Clean and Effective Energy Systems in the 21st Century
- Workshop on Developing the Elements of a Disaster Risk Financing Strategy
Making Cities More Livable
- Workshop on Capacity Building in Green Infrastructure and Housing for Poverty Reduction in the Pacific Region
- Workshop on Leadership Capacity Building Program on Sustainable Sanitation Strategies for Policy Makers
- 7th Asia Smart City Conference
Promoting Rural Development and Food Security
- Workshop on Food Security and Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia
- Workshop on Horticultural Value Chain Management
Strengthening Governance and Institutional Capacity
- ADB–ADBI Forum on Governance and Institutions
- ADBI–JFSA–OECD Roundtable on Insurance and Retirement Savings in Asia
- ADB-ADBI-OECD Workshop on Tax Policy and Administration
Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration
- 8th ADBI–OECD–ILO Roundtable on Labor Migration in Asia
- Workshop on Economic Corridor Development for Competitive and Inclusive Asia
- ADBI-OECD Roundtable on Capital Market and Financial Reform in Asia
Major Capacity Building and Training Publications
Book
- Labor Migration in Asia: Increasing the Development Impact of Migration Through Finance and Technology (Co-produced with the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development and International Labour Organization)