Executive Director, Mr. Kenneth Hui,
Deputy Dean, Mr. Byungsik Jung,
Director, Ms. Kate Sweetman,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am Yasuto Watanabe, Director of AMRO, and it is my great honor to join Mr. Hui in welcoming you to the AMRO-HKMA-ADBI-SEACEN Financial Leadership Training Course 2025.
On behalf of AMRO, I extend my sincere appreciation to HKMA for their exceptional arrangements and warm hospitality, and to ADBI for their steadfast partnership in co-hosting this event for the third time.
I am also delighted to welcome the SEACEN Centre as our fourth co-cost this year. Last but not least, my thanks go to the Ministry of Finance of China for its constant support in funding this course through the China Technical Assistance Trust Fund at AMRO.
In 2023, my predecessor, Mr. Kouqing Li, envisioned a financial leadership training program to strengthen the capabilities of ASEAN+3 finance ministry and central banks officials in addressing evolving economic and financial stability challenges.
With the support of HKMA and ADBI, the inaugural course brought together over 20 officials from ASEAN+3 economies.
Today, just two years later, this third iteration has doubled in size and expanded to include participants from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This growth reflects the program’s value as a platform for leadership development, knowledge exchange, and regional cooperation—now recognized as AMRO’s flagship training program.
We are now operating in an environment of greater uncertainty, complexity, and frequent external shocks. AMRO forecasts ASEAN+3 growth at 3.8 percent in 2025 and 3.6 percent in 2026, with downside risks from evolving US tariff measures.
Yet opportunities remain—driven by deeper intra-regional trade, technological advancement, and AI. In this context, regional policymakers must respond swiftly to cushion the impact of shocks, while seizing growth opportunities through coordinated policies and regional cooperation.
Strengthening leadership has therefore never been more critical.
Leadership extends beyond ministers, governors, or those at the top of an institution—it is a responsibility shared by all of us in our respective spheres. It requires the courage to make sound decisions in challenging times; the vision to anticipate trends and navigate uncertainty; and the ability to inspire, influence, and guide others toward common goals.
This year’s course is designed to help you build those skills.
Today, we begin with an overview of the regional macroeconomic outlook, focusing on the impact of US tariffs and the fiscal space amid rising long-end bond yields. This will be followed by panel sessions on sustainability, carbon markets, disaster risk finance, local currency settlement systems, and the challenges of Fintech, AI, and financial digitalization. You will also be introduced to SEACEN’s Leadership Competency Framework.
Day two will focus on core leadership skills including change management, communication, and influence; while day three offers interactive role-playing exercises to put those skills into practice. On day four, you will have the opportunity to network and strengthen ties during a visit to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, graciously arranged by the HKMA.
Technical assistance has been one of AMRO’s core functions since 2016. With the support of our member economies and trust funds from CMOF, JMOF and KMOEF, we have expanded programs in secondment, consultancy, training, and research collaboration.
Our TA Strategy 2030 guides us in providing more targeted, impactful programs by integrating TA into our surveillance work and deepening collaboration with partners. The Financial Leadership Training Course exemplifies this approach.
Under AMRO’s our new Senior Management, we will continue to ensure it remains focused on emerging risks and builds the leadership capabilities our region needs.
In closing, let me again thank HKMA, ADBI, and SEACEN for your invaluable contributions, and offer special thanks to Ms. Fion Yip for her enduring partnership in this program.
I trust you are ready to embark on this journey of leadership development, broaden your strategic perspectives, and forge lasting connections.
I wish you all a fruitful and inspiring four days. Thank you.