In Tbilisi, Georgia, the meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank has commenced. This gathering is part of the 57th Annual Meeting of the ADB. It marks Georgia's first time hosting the annual meeting of the bank. The theme of the 57th Annual Meeting, taking place from May 2nd to May 5th, is "Bridge to the Future."
Kyrgyzstan is a member country of the ADB. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance of the republic are in attendance at the event.
"At the opening of the event, Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank, stated, 'Global trade and supply chains are vulnerable. Free trade and free movement of capital are the way forward. Today's meeting provides an opportunity to think about how we can work together to build a bridge to the future. 2023 was the hottest year. Food systems are vulnerable. This poses a threat in many directions — from food to infrastructure and beyond. The future depends on how we can respond to these challenges.'"
He highlighted that one of the priorities for the future is the need to utilize digital technologies and ensure their careful and fair application. However, there are risks associated with bias and lack of transparency.
"Artificial intelligence offers tremendous potential to stimulate growth and assist in addressing development issues in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and climate change. But developing countries will lose out if they cannot implement this technology. The ADB is working to strengthen the potential of developing member countries in implementing responsible artificial intelligence solutions that align with ethical standards and promote inclusive growth. We believe that bridging the digital divide and unlocking the opportunities of artificial intelligence are key to a more prosperous future," emphasized the head of the ADB.
