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Speakers and Profiles

Senior officials and experts who contributed to the ICTD-ASP launch event

The ICTD-ASP launch event brought together senior officials and subject-matter experts from across the Asia-Pacific region, representing a diverse cross-section of government, international organizations, and development partners. These speakers drew on deep institutional knowledge and hands-on project experience to frame the platform's strategic direction. Their presentations highlighted how multi-stakeholder collaboration can accelerate the implementation of ICT for development initiatives, with particular attention to how regional cooperation strengthens the bridge between policy formulation and on-the-ground outcomes. The collective expertise on display underscored the breadth of commitment to closing digital divides and fostering inclusive growth throughout the region.

Each speaker profile reflects a distinct area of specialization, from infrastructure planning and regulatory frameworks to capacity building and knowledge sharing. Together, these profiles offer a comprehensive picture of the stakeholder landscape that the ICTD-ASP platform is designed to serve. Attendees gained insight into how pre-feasibility studies, project prioritization, and advisory mechanisms align with broader development goals across member states. The diversity of backgrounds represented in the speaker lineup reinforced the platform's commitment to cross-sector dialogue, ensuring that technical, policy, and investment perspectives all contribute to shaping a robust pipeline of priority proposals and funded initiatives.

The exchange of lessons learned formed a central theme throughout the speaker sessions, with presenters drawing from completed projects and ongoing initiatives to illustrate what works in real-world ICT for development contexts. These reflections touched on resource mobilisation strategies, partnership coordination, and the importance of adaptable implementation frameworks. Speakers emphasized that sustainable outcomes depend on continuous stakeholder engagement and iterative learning, rather than one-off interventions. Their insights provided practical guidance for participants seeking to replicate successful approaches, adapt them to local conditions, and avoid common pitfalls encountered during project execution across varied national and regional settings.

The profiles featured on this page serve as a lasting reference for those who attended the launch event and for others exploring the platform's network of expertise. They represent a starting point for building ongoing relationships among policymakers, practitioners, and development partners throughout the Asia-Pacific. By making these profiles accessible, the ICTD-ASP platform signals its commitment to transparency, peer learning, and open knowledge exchange. The breadth of experience captured here also lays the groundwork for future events, workshops, and collaborative activities, ensuring that the momentum generated during the launch continues to grow into a durable foundation for regional ICT development cooperation.

Key Speakers

The ICTD-ASP launch event on 29–30 April 2014 at ADB Headquarters in Manila brought together senior officials from the Asian Development Bank, the International Telecommunication Union, and the Government of the Philippines. The following profiles highlight the principal speakers who delivered addresses during the opening session and moderated discussions.

Mr. Bindu N. Lohani

Vice President, Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development — ADB

Delivered a welcome address during the Opening Session of the ICTD-ASP launch event on 29 April 2014.

Mr. Yeo Kwon Yoon

Executive Director — ADB

Delivered a welcome address during the Opening Session of the ICTD-ASP launch event on 29 April 2014.

Mr. Yushi Torigoe

Deputy Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) — ITU

Delivered a welcome address during the Opening Session of the ICTD-ASP launch event on 29 April 2014.

H.E. Mario G. Montejo

Secretary of Science and Technology — Government of the Philippines

Delivered the Opening Address during the Opening Session of the ICTD-ASP launch event on 29 April 2014.

Mr. Louis Napoleon Casambre

Undersecretary — Department of Science and Technology – ICT Office (DOST-ICTO), Philippines

Moderated Session 1 on WTDC-14 outcomes and the ICTD-ASP initiative, held from 09:50 to 11:20 on 29 April 2014.

Mr. Victor Lee You

Principal Knowledge Sharing and Services Specialist — ADB

Served as Master of Ceremonies for the Opening Session on 29 April 2014.

Explore the Programme

Review the full agenda for the ICTD-ASP launch event, including session timings and discussion topics.

View Agenda