Phnom Penh: H.E. Dr. KAO Thach, Delegate of the Royal Government in Charge as CEO of the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) and Chairman of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), presided over an online seminar on “Financing Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Region.” The seminar, organized by the Development Bank of Japan Institute Inc., focused on promoting ex-ante investment in disaster risk reduction and adaptation for resilient infrastructure across the APEC region which participated by the Secretary General of ADFIAP; APEC Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan; Global Environmental Affairs Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Japan; Development Finance Institutions; and research institutions. The seminar was held on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
During the seminar, Mr. Enrique Florencio, Secretary General of ADFIAP, presented the findings of a study on promoting ex-ante investment in disaster risk reduction and adaptation for resilient infrastructure. The discussion highlighted good practices, technologies, financing mechanisms, and barriers to investment, as well as the roles of governments, development finance institutions, technology providers, and investors in mobilizing resources before disasters occur.
The seminar also introduced ISO 37116, an international standard designed to support financing for ex-ante investment in disaster risk reduction. The presentation was delivered by Mr. Kenji Omi, Principal of the Overseas Research Division, Development Bank of Japan Institute Inc.
