Annual Conference 2008

ADBI held its Annual Conference on 5 December 2008, highlighting Asia's contribution to global economic development and stability. Kym Anderson of Adelaide University discussed the issue of food price instability and the role played by biofuels while Shinji Takagi of Osaka University argued that more integrated financial markets are essential to a successful transition out of the current crisis. Both authors stated that Asia's participation in deepening these markets was key to future stability. Regionalism and enhanced cooperation are seen as ways Asia can lead the world in, and back to, multilateral trade liberalization. Inkyo Cheong of Inha University showed that Asian regionalism has enhanced and surpassed the World Trade Organization (WTO) agenda while Ram Upendra Das of India's Research and Information System for Developing Countries showed that free trade agreements provide greater access to global markets. The final two papers discussed two aspects of sustainable development. Mehdi Krongkaew of Thailand's National Institute of Development addressed the issue of socially sustainable development strategies while Matthias Ruth of the University of Maryland showed how Asia can contribute to reducing environmental degradation and lead the way in sustainable development. Jean-Pisani Ferry, Director of Bruegel, provided the keynote address and ADB President Kuroda provided the closing remarks.

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