H.E. Dr. KAO Thach: Partnerships among Development Finance Institutions is a catalyst for resource mobilization and greater development impact across the region, stated in the Opening Remarks at the 49th ADFIAP Annual Meetings

Colombo, Sri Lanka: H.E. Dr. KAO Thach, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) and Chairman of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), delivered the Opening Remarks at the 49th ADFIAP Annual Meetings on 23 September 2026, under the theme “Partnerships for Prosperity: Unlocking Regional Potential.”

On this occasion, H.E. Dr. KAO Thach emphasized that the region’s development challenges such as climate change, financing constraints, and social inclusion cannot be addressed by any single institution alone. Partnerships among development finance institutions, governments, development partners, and the private sector can help mobilize resources, share risks, combine expertise, and expand financing in order to generate broader development impact. H.E. Dr. KAO Thach further stated that: “A single Development Finance Institution (DFI) may finance a program, but a strong network of DFIs can jointly build an investment ecosystem.” This can be achieved through promoting co-financing, risk-sharing, resource mobilization, and the scaling of effective solutions across markets and countries in the region.

At the conclusion of his Opening Remarks at the 49th ADFIAP Annual Meetings, H.E. Dr. KAO Thach shared a key message with leaders of development finance institutions, representatives of the private sector, and distinguished guests:

“Finance together. Mobilize resources together. Share risks together. Scale impact together—for shared prosperity and sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific.”