ADB’s LPR Program Supports Tashkent Law Spring Forum with Expertise and Engagement
The Law and Policy Reform (LPR) Program at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported the Fourth International Legal Forum "Tashkent Law Spring" convened on 29-30 May 2025, organized by Uzbekistan Ministry of Justice with contributions from various partners. This international legal forum brought together government leaders, legal experts, policymakers, and thought leaders from the Central Asian region and beyond around the theme of “The Age of Digital Technologies: A Legal Perspective on the Future”, to explore the transformative impact of digital technologies on legal systems and governance.
Over two days, participants engaged in a series of high-level plenary and masterclass sessions that addressed the intersection of law, technology, dispute resolution, public administration, and legal education. The agenda reflected a forward-looking vision for legal reform in the digital age, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
The forum’s sessions were organized around several critical themes including but not limited to:
- Digital Transformation of Governance: how governments are leveraging digital technologies to improve transparency, efficiency, and service delivery.
- Artificial Intelligence in Justice Systems: the potential of AI to streamline and enhance legal processes—but also the ethical and regulatory challenges that accompany these innovations.
- Legal Technology and the Future of the Profession: how legal tech is transforming the roles of lawyers, judges, and notaries, the evolving skillsets required for legal professionals in a digital-first world, and challenges in legal education.
ADB’s LPR Program’s partnership included inviting Keith B. Carter, seasoned technology strategist and author on emerging technologies, to moderate the plenary session which included ministers in the justice sectors of ADB member countries such as Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Singapore, and Japan, as well as representatives from OECD, the Word Justice Project, law firms and research centers.
Hannah J. Lim, Senior Legal Counsel at ADB, moderated a session on “Lawyers on the Wave of Technology: How Digitalization is Changing the Rules of the Game”, surfacing perspectives from bar association leaders and private practitioners. Finally, to ensure inclusive participation, ADB partially funded the simultaneous interpretation services
provided during the forum. This support enabled a broader and more diverse audience to engage meaningfully in the discussions, reinforcing ADB’s commitment to accessibility and regional cooperation.
ADB’s LPR Program’s participation in Tashkent Law Spring reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting legal and policy reform across Asia and the Pacific. By fostering dialogue, sharing expertise, and promoting inclusive innovation, the LPR program continues to contribute to building resilient and future-ready legal systems.