ADB organizes the 2022 RCI Conference to Discuss Midterm Review of S2030 Operational Priority 7
With more than 200 participants from Developing Member Countries, regional cooperation institutions, development partners, and the private sector, the 2022 Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI) Conference was held in hybrid format in Bangkok on 23-25 August. The Finance Minister of the Royal Thai Government and ADB Governor for Thailand, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith opened the Conference, expressing his government’s support for ADB’s RCI agenda. In his keynote address, MDG Woochong Um emphasized the continuing importance of RCI for addressing the 3Cs “poly-crisis” of COVID-19 pandemic, conflict arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the threat of climate change.
In the main session moderated by SDCC Chief Thematic Officer Xiaohong Yang, the midterm review (MTR) of OP7 on Fostering RCI was presented. Conference participants endorsed the findings of the MTR that OP7 has been implemented well and effectively, and assisted counties in addressing the pandemic. They recommended to widen and deepen RCI, and make it more open to support an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient recovery. The subsequent sessions, which were moderated by ADB’s RCI directors, showcased innovative approaches to RCI and identified future pathways for ADB’s RCI operations.
In her closing remarks, SDCC Chief Thematic Officer Xiaohong Yang highlighted six key lessons from the Conference, including the need to mobilize more resources and scale up knowledge and investment in RCI, and the value of making the RCI Conference a regular opportunity to further strengthen and sustain country-led cooperation, on a region-wide and more open basis.
Conference documents and recordings are available on the Conference site, https://adbrciconference2022.live/ (passcode required; to request a passcode, email: Aileen Pangilinan).
Key Documents