header




DAY 1 – 17 June 2025, Tuesday 

8:30–9:00  Registration 
9:00–10:00
Opening Remarks and Keynote Session 
Auditoriums 1–4 
This opening session will set the scene for the forum, highlighting the importance of the circular economy approach in ADB programs and investments and showcasing the innovations and future direction of the circular economy to generate increased uptake and scale. 

Opening Remarks 

  • Bruno Carrasco, Director General, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB 
  • Jonas Leones, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Philippines 

Keynote Presentation

  • Rob Kaplan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Circulate Capital 

10:00–10:30 
Coffee/Networking Break 
10:30–12:00 
PLENARY SESSION 1 Circular Economy in Sectors 
Auditoriums 1–4
This session highlights the application of circular economy principles across different sectors. 

  • Moderator: Susann Roth, Advisor, Office of the Principal Director, Department of Communications and Knowledge Management, ADB 
  • Miguel Bermundo, Vice President for People and Sustainability (Chief Sustainability Officer), Mober Philippines  
  • Norio Saito, Senior Director, Water and Urban Development, Water and Urban Development Sector Office (SD2-WUD), ADB
  • Cindy Cisneros-Tiangco, Director, Emerging Areas, Energy Sector Office, Sectors Department 1, ADB 
  • Takeshi Ueda, Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office, Sectors Department 2 (SD2-AFNR), ADB 
  • Yoko Watanabe, Director, Environment, ADB 

12:00–13:30
Lunch Break 
13:30–15:00 
TRACK SESSION 1 Enabling Conditions: Legal Frameworks and Policy 
Auditorium 1
This session illustrates how legal frameworks, regulations, and policies can promote or enhance a circular economy.

  • Dorothy Delarmente–Bagting, Councilor, Quezon City Government (Philippines)
  • Roger Joseph (Rocky) Guzman, International Governance, Policy, and Legal Specialist (Consultant), ADB
  • Sara Lim, Researcher/Administrator, ADB-Korea Climate Technology Hub, ADB
  • Discussant: Dian Kurniawati, Founder, PT Tridi Oasis Group 
13:30–15:00 
TRACK SESSION 2 Digitalization and Innovation: Breakthroughs in Practice
Auditorium 2
This session showcases successes and challenges of ongoing local case studies (i.e., a city, municipality, or province) that use digitalization and innovation to promote a circular economy.

  • Eileen Ortega-Gamo, Director (Community Bamboo Development and Carbon Removal), Rizome Philippines
  • Surbhi Jore, Founder, ASM Global
  • Rudolph Peralta, Senior GIS Analyst, Arup
13:30–15:00 
TRACK SESSION 3 Digitalization of the Plastic Value Chain: Developing Digital Road Maps
Auditorium 3
This session introduces key concepts of digitalizing the plastic value chain to accelerate circularity. Learn about digital transformation strategies and how to assess readiness levels using a specialized maturity assessment tool. The session also provides practical guidance on setting objectives and developing digital road maps for the plastic value chain, equipping participants with essential knowledge to drive digital transformation in their organizations.

  • Moderator: Erin Sinogba, Project and Knowledge Management Lead (Consultant), ADB 
  • Vincent Aloysius, Team Leader and Circular Economy Specialist, Seureca
  • Emilio López Cano, Associate Professor, Rey Juan Carlos University 
15:00–15:30
Wrap-up/Recap of the Day

To be continued in the separate track rooms

  • Day 1 Recap and Reminders for Day 2
  • Day 1 Survey
15:30–16:00
Coffee/Networking Break