I welcome all ADFIAP members, participants and guests to the 33rd ADFIAP Annual Meetings in Vancouver, B.C., Canada on May 10-12, 2010.

As most parts of the world economy have begun to emerge from the global economic recession and as some regions in the world have started to recover from the damage brought by various natural calamities, a greater crisis continues to threaten the entire planet. This is climate change – a crisis that can undermine the growth and development of rich and poor countries alike as it can directly impact the peoples’ well-being, livelihood and even survival. And as we have seen in recent past, the poor in the developing countries are the most vulnerable.

In this context, our theme of “Innovative Financing for a Greener Economy” is apt and urgent. Our traditional mandate as development financing institutions (DFIs) has been to catalyze the growth of economic and social sectors that our governments and stakeholders deem critical and vital for our countries’ overall progress. To a large extent, the DFIs represented in ADFIAP have been faithful to this mandate. We proved this again when DFIs helped implement effectively their governments’ economic stimulus plans to counteract the effects of the global recession and, more recently, when DFIs took immediate steps to facilitate the economic recovery of our clients in particular and communities in general from the damages of natural calamities like tsunami, earthquake and floods. This is notwithstanding the fact that some of our DFI-members, their employees and families were themselves victims of these natural calamities.

“Innovative financing for a greener economy” is a challenge that is formidable as it is doable. This is consistent with the current advocacy and capacity-building initiatives of ADFIAP for DFIs to aim for the “double bottom line” by ensuring that the enterprises they are financing are not only economically viable, but also socially-responsible by being sensitive to the needs of the communities where they do business. Financing for a greener economy brings the third element of environmental sustainability into the equation for a “triple bottom line”. This is the new economic development model that DFIs must take the lead in implementing.

The 33rd Annual ADFIAP Meetings in Vancouver will provide a platform for the sharing in knowledge and information on the above-mentioned issues as well as other learning sessions that will focus on best practices in microfinance, SME banking, and financing for economic sectors such as export, housing, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.

I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) for hosting this event.

See you all in Vancouver!

Fuimaono Falefa Lima
General Manager, Development Bank of Samoa
Chairman, Association of Development Financing Institutions in
Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP)

Message from the host financial institution

Jean-René Halde
President and Chief Executive Officer
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

On behalf of BDC, I wish to welcome you to Vancouver. We are honoured to host members, participants and guests to the 33rd ADFIAP meetings.

There is much to discuss. Development financing institutions have played a crucial role in our governments’ responses to the difficult events of the last two years, and we can take pride in our accomplishments. A recent report by the Conference Board of Canada, a highly respected, non-government think tank, concluded that public-sector financial institutions around the world had provided critical support to economies in the darkest days of the credit crisis and recession.

But we are not out of the woods yet. Many entrepreneurs still face tough times and need our support now more than ever.

Whether serving developed or developing countries, I’m sure we all share the same goal for businesses– that they not only survive the recession, but thrive in the recovery.

The theme for this year’s meetings—Innovative Financing for a Greener Economy—is important and timely. Our world faces a long list of environmental challenges—notably the threat of climate change. For entrepreneurs, these challenges carry risk and extraordinary opportunity. Indeed, green innovation is becoming a source of competitive advantage in the global economy. It is up to us to provide appropriate support to ensure that entrepreneurs can seize these opportunities rather than be left behind.

We plan a stimulating and informative programme of activities and speakers. We will look at financing to help both existing businesses green their operations and assist clean-tech enterprises successfully bring their innovations to the marketplace.

Specifically, you will hear about best practices and trends in green financing, SMEs and environmentally sustainable supply chains and what your peers in ADFIAP are doing to reduce the carbon footprints.

It will all happen in beautiful Vancouver, the host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I look forward to seeing you.