(Track 1: Landscape Approaches for Resilient River Basins)
This session brought together DMC officials and development partners to identify what worked, where constraints remained, and how ridge-to-reef approaches could unlock investment-ready pipelines. It focused on three investment domains—climate-resilient landscapes, competitive food systems, and inclusive jobs—alongside the enabling conditions needed for scale.
Welcome
Fatima Yasmin, Vice-President (Sectors and Themes), ADB
Opening Remarks
H.E. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan
Keynotes
- Mark Smith, Director General, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
- Máximo Torero, Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Introducing Resilient Livelihoods from Ridge to Reef (ReLIVE-R2R) initiative
- Ivan K. Landers, Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist, SD2-AFNR
- Rabindra Osti, Principal Water Resources Specialist, SD2-AFNR
Operationalizing Food System Transformation Ridge-to-Reef in South Asia
Moderated dialogue with DMC Representatives
- Bangladesh: Md. Abu Baker Siddique Bhuayan, Additional Chief Engineer, Bangladesh Water Development Board
- Bhutan: Yonten Gyamtsho, Director Department of Agriculture
- India: Dr. Jeevan, Secretary to the Government of Assam, CEO FREMAA
- Maldives: Ahmed Waheed, Director, Ministry of Environment and Tourism
- Nepal: Suman Dahal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance
- Sri Lanka: A. R. Wickramaratna, Director, Department of National Planning, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Moderator: Ivan Landers, Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist
Closing Reflections: Future Pipelines and Integrated Programs
Takeshi Ueda, Director, SD2- AFNR
