Navigating for a Better Future in Emerging and Frontier Asia under Uncertainty: Economic and Fiscal Policy Challenges and Prospects
A Conference Jointly Organized by the IMF and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
International Conference Hall, JICA Research Institute
Tokyo, Japan
February 12-13, 2025
This conference served as a forum for Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Asian and Pacific countries, academics, and IMF and JICA officials to exchange views and forge partnerships to navigate the evolving economic and fiscal landscape. The discussion focused on the comprehensive economic policies addressing fiscal sustainability concerns while managing climate adaptation, as well as the role of industrial policies. The event concluded with a high-level Roundtable Discussion.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025Time shown below is in Japan Standard Time (UTC/GMT +9) |
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18:30-21:00 |
Welcome Dinner Welcome Remarks:
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Thursday, February 13, 2025 |
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8:30–9:00 |
Registration |
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9:00–9:20 |
Welcome Remarks:
Opening Remarks:
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9:20–9:30 |
Photo Session |
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9:30–10:30 |
SESSION 1: Fiscal Policy under Uncertainty: What is Next for Emerging and Frontier Asia to Achieve Inclusive and Sustainable Growth? Moderator:
Presenters:
Discussants:
An overall view of economic and fiscal policy challenges in Emerging and Frontier Asia and legacy of global shocks. Exceptional policy responses to global shocks led to large shifts in expenditures and debt burden, now aggravated by lower growth and higher global interest rates and rising climate risks. How should Emerging and Frontier Asia respond? This comes at a time when spending pressures are on the rise to meet development needs, achieve SDGs, support the vulnerable, and allocate resources to climate mitigation and adaptation. The session will be a stocktaking exercise on where things stand but also present the global and regional economic and fiscal outlook and policy recommendations on how to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth in Emerging and Frontier Asia. |
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10:30-11:00 |
Coffee Break |
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11:00-12:00 |
SESSION 2: Enhancing Asia and the Pacific’s Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change Moderator:
Presenters:
Discussants:
Countries in Asia-Pacific are among the most vulnerable to climate change. The region is highly exposed to natural disasters and major weather-related natural disasters are growing in frequency and severity, affecting almost all countries in the region. This session will focus on the role of fiscal policy and frameworks in addressing shortcomings in adaptation strategies; exploring the approaches to further enhance pre-disaster investment and disaster risk financing (DRF) at the national level as well as regional initiatives, learning from the experience of disaster-prone countries. |
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12:00–13:30 |
Lunch |
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13:30–14:30 |
SESSION 3: Industrial Policy in the Asia and Pacific: Understanding the Landscape and its Tradeoffs Moderator:
Presenters:
Discussants:
As in other parts of the world, the use of industrial policies (IP) has greatly increased in Asia and the Pacific in recent years. This session will focus on better understanding the costs and benefits of IP, how to get the IP right, how fiscal support and incentives could be deployed while minimizing distortions, negative cross-border spillovers, and country experiences from Asia and the Pacific. |
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14:30–15:00 |
Coffee Break |
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15:00–16:00 |
SESSION 4: Roundtable: What is Next for Economic Policy Makers in Emerging and Frontier Asia? Roundtable Discussions Moderator:
Panelists:
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16:00–16:15 |
Closing Remarks
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