Regional Workshop on Advancing Beneficial Ownership Transparency

DAY 3: Wednesday, 23 February 2022
Regional Workshop on Advancing Beneficial Ownership Transparency in Asia and Pacific Region
14:00 – 15:15	BO Data Verification Mechanisms: Policy, Technical and Practical Considerations This session will look at various BO data verification challenges, at policy, technical and practical level, international practice, and different enforcement and verification mechanisms to enhance BO transparency. Some of the issues that will be considered during this session include: The extent of complexity of ownership and control structures; How and when the BO data should be verified? Which authority should be held responsible to verify the BO information? Best practices on BO data verification, including digital and interoperable registers and cross-checking; The role of civil society, competent authorities, Financial Institutions, and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) in BO data verification and Sanctions and penalties for non-compliance with the BO disclosure regime. Moderator: Ramandeep Chhina, International Consultant on Beneficial Ownership, ADB Presentation 1: Stephen Abbott Pugh, Data and Technology Manager, Open Ownership Presentation 2: Elizabeth Fiona Alpe, Senior Transaction Support Specialist (Integrity), Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD), ADB Q&A Session
15:15-15:30	Refreshment Break
15:30-16:45	Impact and Use of BO Data This session will look at the impact and use of the BO data by civil society, journalists, private sector, financial institutions, DNFBPs, government agencies, and law enforcement authorities, as well as some international examples and practices on how this data has been effectively used. Some of the issues that will be considered during this session include: Use of BO data by financial institutions, DNFBPS and other private sector (including companies); Use of BO data by academics, civil society and journalists; and Use of BO data by government agencies and law enforcement authorities Moderator: Ramandeep Chhina, International Consultant on Beneficial Ownership, ADB Presentation 1: Maira Martini, Research and Policy Expert, Corrupt Money Flows, Transparency International Presentation 2: Vincent Lazatin, National Director, Bantay Kita Q&A Session
16:45-16:55	Wrap-up Session - Day 3
16:55-17:00	Closing Remarks Hiranya Mukhopadhyay, Chief of Governance Thematic Group, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, ADB