NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Description
Across Asia and the Pacific, countries are making significant investments in social infrastructure, enhancing service delivery, and improving quality of life for all citizens across all age groups and social needs. As climate change, urbanization, and fiscal constraints intensify, the need for multi-functional, resilient, sustainable and inclusive social infrastructure continues to grow. By social infrastructure we refer to public spaces used for education, skills development in formal and non-formal setting, health services including hospitals and community centers, care centers for short and long term care, social protection and inclusion spaces, sport facilities, cultural spaces as well as spatial design for community engagement and services in times of emergency.

In the context of the ADB Business Opportunities Fair, the session will spotlight investments in social infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific, creating an opportunity for exchange and dialogue between ADB and contractors specialized in social infrastructure projects, sustainable material and technology.

Among topics that will be explored:

Climate-Resilient and Disaster-Ready Infrastructure: Designs for extreme climate conditions, multiple-use facilities for emergencies, adaptive and resilient construction approaches, reviving traditional construction practices
Multi-Functional and Community Infrastructure: Multi-functional public facilities integrated into existing community or private spaces with flexible and inclusive design for all community members
Smart and Digital Solutions: Smart building systems, digital tools in construction or operation or energy efficiency, parametric design for passive cooling or heating like bio-mimicry
Innovative Materials and Methods: Prefabrication and modular construction, alternative materials, cost-efficient and scalable solutions appropriate for different climatology and topography
Sustainable and Low-Carbon Construction: Use of green or recycled materials, energy-efficient design, lifecycle cost optimization
Objectives
The session provides a platform for direct engagement between ADB and contractors, focusing on innovation, implementation, and financing opportunities in future-ready social infrastructure. Participants will gain insights into ADB’s project pipeline, showcase innovative solutions, engage with ADB project teams and governments, and position themselves as leaders in sustainable infrastructure.

After an introduction to the topic, a panel discussion will outline key issues and innovations, followed by a PechaKucha session to open the interaction between contractors, ADB officers and country stakeholders for an interactive and engaging exchange.

Target participants
ADB invites contractors, developers, and industry leaders to participate in a high-level session focused on innovations in social infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific. Companies will be responsible to organize travel and stay at their own cost.

Resource speakers
Panel Discussion:

Up to two companies or contractors to be selected from the EoI
Country stakeholder from Asia Pacific
ADB officer
PechaKucha: Up to 10 companies will be selected to pitch their ideas and interact with each other and ADB officers

How to register
Fill out the form accessible at the button on this page. Deadline for the companies wanting to participate in the panel or PechaKucha is on 15 July 2026.

Submitted EOIs will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

Relevance to social infrastructure sectors (education, health, social services, cultural and non-formal learning and social spaces)
Innovation of the approach
Demonstrated impact and scalability

Time: 12:45 – 1:45 PM (GMT+8)