From May 3 to 7, 2025, a delegation from the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank), led by Deputy General Director Mr. Lê Hồng Phúc, participated in the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held in Milan, Italy. The conference, themed “Sharing experience, building tomorrow,” brought together over 4,000 delegates from ADB’s 68 member countries, international and regional organizations, development partners, and the private sector.

ADB's Core Message: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Sustainable, Inclusive, and Innovative Development

In his opening remarks, ADB President Masato Kanda urged member countries to foster cooperation and jointly turn existing challenges into transformative opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region. Amid economic uncertainties, public debt burdens, climate change, and rapid technological advancements, he emphasized that this is a pivotal moment requiring unprecedented determination and creativity.

ADB has identified four key transformative areas to build a prosperous and sustainable future:

- Ensuring Food Security: Investing $40 billion by 2030 to comprehensively reform food systems, promote nutrition, and protect biodiversity.

- Bridging the Digital Divide: Expanding digital financial services, modernizing payment infrastructure, and implementing digital identification systems.

- Building Sustainable Energy Systems: Committing up to $10 billion to initiatives like the ASEAN Power Grid.

- Enhancing Climate Resilience: Investing in infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and supporting vulnerable communities.

Additionally, ADB aims to mobilize an extra $100 billion over the next decade, increasing its annual operations from $24 billion to $36 billion. The bank also commits to quadrupling private sector financing to reach $13 billion annually by 2030.

Agribank's Engagement with ADB's Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program

During the conference, the Agribank delegation met with Mr. Steven Beck, Head of ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP). Deputy General Director Lê Hồng Phúc expressed gratitude for ADB's support and affirmed Agribank's commitment to leveraging TSCFP opportunities. The bank will focus on implementing sustainable financial solutions, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting agricultural and rural development projects. Both parties agreed to strengthen cooperation and maintain regular information exchange to ensure effective program implementation. 
 

Kylie Nguyen