Scaling Up Sustainable Infrastructure
The Asia Infrastructure Forum (AIF) is the foremost platform for infrastructure players and thought leaders to discuss key issues such as the future state of infrastructure, sustainable financing, technological innovation and collaboration.
We are pleased to announce that AIF 2022 will be back on 2 to 3 August 2022 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Participants can look forward to having in-depth discussions on the latest developments and sustainable solutions in regional infrastructure through the exciting line-up of segments such as panel discussions, marketplace and the various ideation roundtables and project discussions.
Get the latest updates on AIF 2022 here!
For any queries, please get in touch with us at aif_enquiry@infrastructureasia.org.
In recovering from the pandemic, governments will face growing pressures on infrastructure from economic progress and population growth to a shifting prioritisation towards environmental sustainability. The recovery presents an opportunity to redefine priorities and policies to support and scale up growth in a sustainable manner. How can governments and policymakers ensure that the right policies and frameworks are in place to scale-up the development of sustainable infrastructure? What are the persistent as well as budding challenges that governments will face in driving infrastructure expansion for the next generation?
Sustainable infrastructure is multifaceted and long-term by nature, and involves numerous risks and stakeholders. Delivering sustainable infrastructure requires multiple factors including good government policies, sound planning, efficient procurement, and accessible finance. With the increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure in the region, the element of scale is necessary to aggregate assets, attract quality developers, and generate economies of scale. How can firms address the needs and priorities in the region and capture opportunities? How can players across the entire value chain (planning, design, construction, financing, operation & maintenance) leverage on Singapore’s vibrant infrastructure ecosystem to work together to advance the development of sustainable infrastructure in the region and deliver sustainable and inclusive growth?
Financial institutions play a paramount role in shaping resilient economies. To ensure sustainable economic growth, a concerted effort from the financial sector is needed to direct capital towards sustainable development outcomes and encourage companies to adopt best practices. In what ways can financial institutions contribute to a net-zero emissions and nature-positive infrastructure? How can we scale up sustainable financing in infrastructure?
Ideation Roundtable 1: |
Reliable access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities are the building blocks of economic and social development. However, the COVID-19 crisis has exposed the inadequacy of existing public health infrastructure in addressing hygiene and environmental needs. To date, 2.2 billion people around the world continue to lack safely managed drinking water services and 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services.
To tackle these age-old problems and address anticipated future needs, ageing water infrastructure must be upgraded and alternative waste management systems must be sourced. This could be achieved through the adoption of cutting-edge and commercially viable technologies, in order for Asia to by pass conventional infrastructure models and leapfrog to sustainable and resilient cities of the future.
In charting the way forward, stakeholders across the value chains need to be brought together to collectively rebuild resilient public health infrastructure. How can we entice water and waste service providers to embrace proven technologies? How can the bankability of capital-intensive water and waste infrastructure be improved to crowd in private capital? |
Ideation Roundtable 2: |
Green mobility, spanning electric vehicles to batteries and charging infrastructure, aims to reduce the negative environmental impact brought about by conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by reducing both air and noise pollution. According to World Bank Group, Transport accounts for 23 percent of global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 18 percent of all man-made emissions in the global economy. With urbanisation of developing countries, this could grow further. |
Project Discussion 1: |
In ASEAN, new waves of the pandemic have hit the region hard and will likely delay the region’s economic recovery. Despite Cambodia’s initial success at controlling the outbreak of COVID-19, its economy is impacted. The Royal Government of Cambodia has responded with a broad package of fiscal stimulus measures designed to aid economic recovery. Led by a stable and progressive government which adopts investor friendly policies, Cambodia is emerging as one of ASEAN’s more welcoming investment destinations. According to the Asian Development Bank’s forecasts, Cambodia is expected to record 4.0% growth in 2021, well above Southeast Asia’s average of 3.14%. |
Project Discussion 2: |
Indonesia has the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia and is endowed with rich natural resources and human capital. To fully capture the value of these resources, the Government of Indonesia has emphasised increasing the quantity and quality of infrastructure. In the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan(RPJMN), it is projected that infrastructure spending to support GDP growth will reach Rp 6,445 trillion. That said, government funding is expected to fill only Rp 2,385 trillion, or37% of what is needed. One of the ways to bridge the infrastructure spending gap is through Infrastructure Asset Recycling. Infrastructure Asset Recycling refers to monetising existing infrastructure assets(such as toll roads), and recycling the proceeds for further infrastructure investment. This concept is particularly salient given the diversion of public resources and expenditure to health and social programs to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need for an infrastructure-led economic recovery. Co-organised with PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (“PT SMI”), the project discussion will provide insight on the current ecosystem as well as showcase several assets that are ready for monetisation together with its partners in the framework to bring investment in Indonesia. The project showcase shall demonstrate the enhanced structure and government commitment to escalate the competition in the infrastructure project. Participants are invited to provide input as well as brainstorm partnerships models that could result in win-win transactions. |
A vibrant and uniquely interactive platform for regional governments to highlight infrastructure-related needs and challenges, and for industry leaders, financiers, developers and entrepreneurs to pitch their projects, technologies and solutions. The marketplace aims to foster important relationships and collaborations between industry players across the infrastructure value chain, to accelerate sustainable infrastructure in the region.
Ideation Roundtable 3: |
Building construction and operation produces 39% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. The emergence of Energy-as-a Service (EaaS) business model is a paradigm shift that could potentially transform energy usage in Asia’s cities. The flexibility offered by contracting models gave businesses a practical and cost-effective option to make the sustainable choice as low or even no upfront capital is needed for businesses to adopt low carbon solutions. Value can be captured from improvements made in energy efficiency further incentivise businesses to go green. EaaS could address the energy efficiency gap in Asia. Charging ahead, many financial institutions have developed their own policies and criteria to provide EaaS. However, adoption varied across markets in Asia, greater standardisation could encourage businesses and cities to on-board more sustainable projects and investments. How have some institutions overcome these issues? What are the advances made in low carbon technologies and how can they enable savings in our existing infrastructure? |
Ideation Roundtable 4: |
In the next decade, emerging Asia – home to more than half of the world’s population and a quarter of the world’s economy – will drive the lion share of global energy demand growth. Meeting its economic development needs, while committing to generate 23% of energy from clean sources by 2025, will prove to be the coal-dependent region’s defining challenge. |
Project Discussion 3: |
In the dynamic region of Southeast Asia, Vietnam has proven to be resilient and a model for economic reforms. The nation’s GDP increased 2.7 times between 2002 and 2020, and in spite the emergence of the covid -19 pandemic, Vietnam is forecasted to rebound to 5.5 percent growth in 2022. As Vietnam pursue new opportunities in the green economy with its pledge to reach net zero emission in 2050. High levels of investments are required to ensure that city infrastructure keeps up with its aspirations. What policies and advances in technology can better position Vietnam to reach it long term growth sustainably? |
Project Discussion 4: |
How do we create alignment between infrastructure needs with long-term institutional investors? |
The biennial World Cities Summit (WCS) is an exclusive platform for global, business and thought leaders to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge new partnerships.
This year’s Summit takes place in-person, from 31 July to 3 August, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands. Themed ''Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Emerging Stronger", it focuses on how cities can emerge stronger and more resilient through prolonged and unpredictable disruptions.
WCS is a 4-day event comprising the main conference and other highlights such as the WCS Mayors Forum, WCS Young Leaders Symposium, the Lee Kuan Yew World Prize Lecture, the Expo and site visits. It is held in conjunction with our Key Partner, the Asia Infrastructure Forum.
The Summit is jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Find out more about WCS 2022 here.
AIF 2021 took place on 23 June 2021 (in-person and virtual) and attracted over 2,000 delegates across 45 countries.
85 speakers spoke across 5 panel discussions, 3 ideation roundtables and 4 by-invitation-only project discussions on topics such as new approaches, innovative technology and effective collaborations between government leaders, policy makers, financiers, investors and infrastructure companies on the region's infrastructure projects.
Relive the highlights of AIF 2021 here:
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