News
ADB and the Climate Law and Governance Initiative Convene Experts to Innovate Solutions for Climate Law and Governance Challenges
On November 15, 2024, the Climate Law and Governance Initiative, in collaboration with ADB, UNEP, EBRD, World Bank Group, and IFAD, hosted Climate Law and Governance Day (CLGD). This event featured online side events to foster innovation and share best practices in climate law and governance. A key session, co-organized by ADB and EBRD, focused on mobilizing climate finance through legal and policy solutions. Following CLGD, a specialization course at ADA University provided in-depth understanding of the Paris Agreement, with lectures from ADB's General Counsel Thomas M. Clark and Principal Counsel Christina Pak.
Legal and Judicial Experts Explore Ways to Strengthen Environmental Protection and Address Climate Change at COP29 Side Events Organized by ADB OGC’s Law and Policy Reform Program
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, ADB's Law and Policy Reform Program co-organized key side events on climate change, forest conservation, and judicial action. Highlights included discussions on forest finance, the Model Forest Act Initiative, and judicial perspectives on climate litigation. These events showcased ADB's commitment to strengthening environmental law, supporting the Paris Agreement, and addressing the triple planetary crisis. Participants, including legal experts, policymakers, and judges, shared insights and strategies to enhance forest governance, attract forest finance, and resolve climate disputes, fostering international cooperation and inspiring action against climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
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.