For the second time since its inception, ADFIAP successfully convened the Development Finance Fellowship Program (Fellows Program) at the Wynn Hotel in Macau on October 20–21, 2025. This flagship initiative is a cornerstone of ADFIAP’s continuing education and leadership development efforts, designed to elevate the operational effectiveness of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) across the Asia-Pacific region.

Tailored for CEOs, Board Members, and Senior Executives, the Fellows Program aims to sharpen strategic thinking and leadership capabilities essential for managing DFIs and driving transformative projects within their mandated sectors.

Facilitated by Dr. Alvin Ang of Ateneo de Manila University and Brunei’s Centre for Policy and Development, the program welcomed participants from a diverse group of member institutions, including Agricultural and Development Bank of Cambodia, Marshall Islands Development Bank, Network Consolidated Cooperative Bank, New Rural Bank of San Leonardo, Pacific Islands Development Bank, and National Development Bank of Tuvalu.

The sessions delved into the foundational principles of development finance, emphasizing peer exchange, institutional challenges, and the evolving role of DFIs in addressing market failures through long-term financing. Discussions highlighted DFIs’ pivotal contributions to economic growth, countercyclical stabilization, and market creation—roles often understated yet profoundly impactful.

Participants deepened their understanding of these strategic functions and explored the imperative of technology adoption as a new operational vernacular for DFIs. The program also reinforced the importance of sound governance to safeguard DFIs from crowding out private financial institutions or being misused for politically driven lending.

A memorable highlight was the surprise visit of H. E. Dr. Kao Thach, Chairman of ADFIAP, himself a graduate of the program, whose presence and inspiring message reaffirmed the participants’ role as ambassadors of development finance and stewards of inclusive growth.