25 Years On: Strengthening Regional Economic Cooperation

July 20, 2022, Tokyo, Japan

The year 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP) in Tokyo. Since its opening in December 1997, the office has been supporting regional cooperation to bring sustainable growth in this rich and diverse region through policy dialogue, capacity development and outreach work.

In commemoration of the anniversary, the office hosted an event to discuss economic policy priorities and international economic cooperation with special guests Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Following their remarks, current and former high-level policymakers held a panel discussion to reflect on lessons from the past 25 years of economic development in the Asia-Pacific region, discuss the current state and prospects of the regional economy, and outline policy priorities to make the regional economy more resilient and sustainable.

Agenda

 Time  Program
10:00-10:05 am
Japan time

Introductory remarks: Chikahisa Sumi, Director, IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

10:05-10:10 am

SpeechShunichi Suzuki, Finance Minister, Japan

10:10-10:20 am  SpeechKristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF)
10:20-11:40 am

Panel Discussion
Panelists reflect on 25 years of regional cooperation and discuss current economic developments and policy priorities.

Moderator:
Naoyuki Yoshino, Professor Emeritus at Keio University, and former Dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute

Panelists:
Masato Kanda, Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance Japan

Tarisa Watanagase, former Governor of the Bank of Thailand

Takatoshi Kato, former Deputy Managing Director of the IMF and Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance Japan

Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department, International Monetary Fund 

11:40-11:55 am  Q&A 
11:55-12:00 pm  Wrap up and closing remarks

Bio

Opening Speech  

Shunichi Suzuki
Finance Minister, Japan
Bio

IMF Managing Director Kristalina GeorgievaKristalina Georgieva
Managing Director, IMF
Bio

Chikahisa Sumi, Director, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, IMFChikahisa Sumi
Director, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacifc, IMF
Bio

 
Moderator  

Naoyuki Yoshino, Professor Emeritus at Keio University, and former Dean of the Asian Development Bank InstituteNaoyuki Yoshino
Professor Emeritus at Keio University, and former Dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute
Bio


Panelists  

Masato Kanda Masato Kanda
Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance Japan
Bio

Tarisa WatanagaseTarisa Watanagase
former Governor of the Bank of Thailand
Bio

Takatoshi Kato, Senior Adviser to the President, Japan Center for International Finance(JCIF)Takatoshi Kato
former Deputy Managing Director of the IMF and Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance Japan 
Bio

Krishna SrinivasanKrishna Srinivasan
Director, Asia and Pacific Department, IMF
Bio