News
ADB and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Mark Seven Years of Cooperation and Success in Developing Islamic Finance in the Philippines
Manila, Philippines, 26 November 2024—Following its successes in Indonesia and Malaysia in September 2024, ADB and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) brought their Philippine Islamic Finance Roadshow back to Manila for its concluding session.
ADB and Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship Partner to Advance Alternative Dispute Resolution in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship partnered, with ADB's support, hosted a two-day training program on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for commercial disputes. The seminar equipped participants with practical tools for efficient and effective dispute resolution, focusing on arbitration, mediation, and online dispute resolution. By promoting ADR, the program aims to foster a conducive business environment and attract foreign direct investment to Uzbekistan.
ADB Consults Stakeholders on Draft Cambodia E-commerce Trustmark Scheme
On 16-17 October 2024, ADB and Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) held stakeholder consultations on the draft Cambodia E-commerce Trustmark Scheme (CETS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
ADB and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Showcase Opportunities in the Philippines for Foreign Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions
In September 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) published a comprehensive report exploring the potential and demand for Islamic banking and finance services in the Philippines. Titled Unlocking the Potential of Islamic Finance in the Philippines: A Market Analysis and Landscape Report, the study found that many Muslim Filipinos—many of whom own and operate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—prefer Islamic financial services but have limited access to them.
ADB and IFAD Sign MOU to Enhance Law and Policy Collaboration in Forestry, Food, and Agriculture Sectors
On 3 September 2024, on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of IFI General Counsels in Montevideo, Uruguay, the Asian Development Bank General Counsel Thomas M. Clark and the International Fund for Agricultural Development General Counsel Katherine Meighan signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration in legal and policy development in the forestry, food, and agriculture sectors, as well as their shared interest in advancing environmental rule of law
ADB Joins Policy Dialogue on Climate Change, Water and Forests in Brasilia
On 23 August 2024, ADB General Counsel Thomas M. Clark joined senior government officials, high court justices and legal and climate experts at the International Symposium on Climate Change, Water and Forests, sponsored by the Brazilian Foreign Affairs and Finance Ministries, the National High Court of Brazil and the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.
ADB Launches Judicial Training on Fiji Bench Book on Children
On 20–23 August 2024, in Suva, ADB and UNICEF delivered a comprehensive judicial training program on the Fiji Bench Book on Children. The entire Fiji judiciary participated in the training, supported by ADB's Law and Policy Reform Program.
Asian Development Bank Collaborates with Indonesian Stakeholders on the Model Forest Act Initiative
The Model Forest Act Initiative held a pivotal week of intensive work and knowledge sharing in Indonesia on 26-30 July 2024, bringing together leading experts in forest law and policy to refine the draft Model Forest Act and engage with key stakeholders.
Inaugural Cohort of Internationally Certified Filipino Islamic Finance Professionals Honored at Historic ADB-Philippine Government Ceremony
On 19 July 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the Philippines convened a historic ceremony at ADB Headquarters for the inaugural cohort of 138 Filipinos who earned internationally recognized qualifications in Islamic finance from the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM). All graduates—representing financial, regulatory, policymaking, and Islamic institutions across the Philippines—have successfully completed the Associate Qualification in Islamic Finance (AQIF). Additionally, seven AQIF holders advanced to earn the Intermediate Qualification in Islamic Finance (IQIF).
Asian Development Bank Trains Justice Officers in Timor-Leste to Effectively Investigate Gender-Based Violence Cases
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) partnered with Timor-Leste's Public Prosecution Service to deliver a comprehensive training program on investigating gender-based violence cases. This initiative is part of ADB's ongoing effort, through the Law and Policy Reform Program, to strengthen the country's judicial system's response to violence against women and girls.