July 2025 - October 2025

Samuel Tumiwa

Advancing ADB-Canada Cooperation: President Kanda's Visit to Ottawa and Toronto

President Kanda visited Canada, reaffirming ADB’s close collaboration in advancing sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific.  

Throughout the mission, President Kanda conveyed appreciation for Canada’s leadership and continued support to ADB. President Kanda also reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to deepen cooperation with Canada on private sector engagement, food and energy security, and supply chain resilience. 

In Ottawa, President Kanda met with Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai, participated in an armchair discussion with Deputy Minister for International Development Chris MacLennan, and a lunch discussion hosted by senior Government of Canada officials and representatives from leading think tanks and development organizations. Discussion focused on building on shared successes by mobilizing private capital for sustainable development, empowering women and girls, and creating more opportunities for collaboration that benefit both Canada and the region. 

In Toronto, President Kanda met with President and CEO of Export Development Canada, Alison Nankivell, to explore new avenues for mobilizing private capital and expertise to drive development impact. The President also led a roundtable discussion with leading Canadian companies in partnership with Gowling WLG, with a focus on identifying ways for the Canadian private sector to play a more active role in ADB-financed projects. 

Driving Development Dialogue in Washington, DC

ADB and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) have formalized a partnership to promote sustainable investments in quality and affordable childcare in Vanuatu. The agreement outlines a three-year collaboration under ADB’s Technical Assistance initiative, aimed at strengthening evidence-based childcare policies and expanding inclusive childcare models across Asia and the Pacific. 

Solving Complex Challenges Together

“ADB is Solving Complex Challenges with its members and partners to help transform lives and economies across Asia and the Pacific. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, ADB helps the region transcend urgent development challenges.” 

Presenting on Development Trends in Asia and the Pacific with CSIS 

Presenting on ADB's Impact in the Pacific

Emma Veve, ADB’s Director General for the Pacific, in partnership with the CSIS, led a roundtable and presented the ADB’s work in the Pacific. The discussion centered around development opportunities and challenges in the Pacific, specifically how infrastructure and private sector investment are key drivers of growth for these Small Island Developing States. The Asian Development Fund was also discussed, given its central role in supporting projects across the Pacific. Participants included the Ambassadors of Fiji and Vanuatu to the United States, and the roundtable was moderated by Kathryn Paik, Deputy Director and senior fellow with the Australia Chair.

Convening a Dialogue on Future Thinking

Marking three decades of NARO’s partnerships in Canada and the US, NARO and Meridian International Center co-hosted a forward-looking event on the next 30 years of partnerships in North America. The roundtable, which included Jim Golsen, Vice President of Meridian’s Center for Corporate Diplomacy, brought together over 25 diverse stakeholders including development actors, think tanks, and the private sector. Moderated by Bart Édes, Fellow at the Asian Pacific Foundation of Canada and former NARO Representative, the session focused on exploring the future of development cooperation and areas for collaboration between ADB and its partners. Alain Borghijs, NARO Deputy Representative, fielded questions from participants on a wide range of issues related to ADB’s strategy and operations.  

Participants explored emerging trends in resilience, digital transformation, and inclusive growth, emphasizing the need for agility and private sector involvement in development planning. The conversation underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the value of diverse perspectives in shaping ADB’s strategic direction.  

As NARO celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, the event served as a timely reflection on how far ADB has come—and where it is headed. The future thinking session reaffirmed NARO’s role as a convener of ideas and organizations.  

ADB advanced priorities on climate finance, health partnerships, and education at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Climate Week in New York. The ADB delegation participated in high-level dialogues, strategic forums, and bilateral engagements that showcased ADB’s role as a trusted partner in mobilizing finance, de-risking investments, and enabling innovation across the region.  

ADB speakers contributed to events such as the Biennial Summit on Implementing Commitments on Financing for Development, the World Economic Forum, and a roundtable on a Lead-Free Future, emphasizing the need for inclusive investments and mobilizing private capital.  

Highlighting Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings Approach at the United Nations

ADB’s evolving approach to fragility and resilience was featured at a UN Peacebuilding Commission meeting, which focused on development finance in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCAS). Held in New York on the margins of the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the discussion emphasized the importance of tailored country-level analysis, operational flexibility, and partnerships to support peacebuilding and prevention.  

Samuel Tumiwa, NARO Representative, shared ADB’s experience working in countries affected by fragility and conflict, highlighting recent reforms to reduce delivery burdens in smaller and FCAS countries, the use of national and subnational fragility assessments, and growing collaboration with UN actors in contexts such as Myanmar, Afghanistan, and the Pacific. He also emphasized how ADB’s approach aligns with Strategy 2030, the Humanitarian/Development/Peace nexus, and the Midterm Review of the FCAS–Small Islands Development States approach.  

The meeting brought together UN Member States, UN entities, and international financial institutions. Participants welcomed ADB’s engagement and expressed interest in closer collaboration to strengthen peace outcomes across the region.  

Regional cooperation and the role of Multilateral Development Banks were presented by NARO Deputy Representative Alain Borghijs to students of Chuo University global management program. The session provided insights into ADB’s work, encouraging students to explore careers in international development, including with ADB.

Mr. Borghijs also convened a dialogue with graduate students specializing in international development at the George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs. The discussion focused on development challenges in Asia and the Pacific, and how young professionals can contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth. These engagements reflect NARO’s commitment to engaging with youth and fostering career-related seminars, inspiring the next generation of leaders in international affairs and development.  

Promoting Business Opportunities with Canadian and US Firms at BOF

Opportunities to engage with ADB were at the forefront of the ADB Business Opportunities Fair (BOF) held in Manila. NARO brought together and supported more than 25 Canadian firms and over 70 US firms interested in learning more about ADB procurement processes, upcoming projects, and strategies for effective engagement across Asia and the Pacific.

NARO hosted a booth to share information on procurement opportunities and connect directly with potential partners. More than 100 participants stopped by the booth to learn more about the role of ADB’s Representative Offices and how NARO engages with companies in Canada and the US. NARO also attended networking events hosted by the Canadian Executive Director and the US Alternate Executive Director to ADB, which offered additional opportunities for Canadian and US companies to connect with ADB experts and explore collaboration. The BOF highlighted opportunities for collaboration and underscored ADB’s commitment to bring a wide range of technical expertise to its projects for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.  

Engaging US Firms Ahead of ADB Business Opportunities Fair

Opportunities for US companies and consultants to engage with ADB at the BOF in Manila, were the focus of an information session hosted at NARO in Washington, DC. The event provided insights for navigating the Fair, engagement strategies, and ADB’s procurement processes. NARO Deputy Representative Alain Borghijs opened the session. Stephane Bessadi, ADB Senior Procurement Specialist, provided an overview of the BOF and ADB’s procurement practices, and was joined by Danica Starks and Michael Mia from the US Commercial Service, who outlined US government support available to firms seeking to work with multilateral institutions. Successful bidders shared lessons learned from their experience in working with ADB. NARO Representative Samuel Tumiwa closed the session, which was moderated by NARO’s Mitty Steele. More than 60 participants, both in person and online, attended the event.  

Connecting Canadian Expertise to ADB Opportunities in Asia and the Pacific 

Hosting Feedback Sessions for Canadian and US Companies

NARO hosted sessions with Canadian and US companies to gather their feedback and insights on the ADB BOF. The purpose of these sessions was to have an informal discussion with Canadian and US companies that attended the BOF and hear about their experience, including what they found useful, what could be improved for next year and ways in which NARO can support companies beyond the BOF. In the session for Canadian companies, Martin Tabi, Executive Director for Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, delivered opening remarks with Sharlene Jo-Ann Shillingford-Mcklmon of PPFD sharing some reflections of the BOF.

As a part of NARO’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, we are looking back at key moments of partnership in North America. In 1991, Canada hosted ADB’s 24th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in Vancouver! The meeting convened member governments, private sector representatives, and development partners for high-level business sessions and strategic dialogue. As a founding member of ADB, Canada has been an instrumental partner fostering economic development and in supporting ADB projects on climate and gender.  

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