Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue 2025

Details: Published: 23 October 2025

The UP Asian Center is co-hosting the Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue 2025 on 10 November 2025 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel and 11 November 2025 at the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, 9 AM - 5 PM, PHT (Manila Time). Both days of the forum are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Pre-registration is recommended due to limited available slots. Food and refreshments will be provided.

ABOUT THE EVENT

The Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue convenes social science researchers and scientists from Stanford University and across the Asia-Pacific region, alongside policymakers, private and public sector experts, and emerging leaders to accelerate progress on achieving the United Nations-adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Dialogue aims to generate new research and policy partnerships to expedite the implementation of the Agenda's underlying framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2025 Dialogue focuses on advancing SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

This year's main hosts and organizers are Stanford University's Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (Shorenstein APARC) and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future. The co-host is the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines, Diliman (UP). The co-sponsor is the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders in the Philippines (CIFAL Philippines).

VIEW THE PROGRAM

Venue: Isabela Ballroom (Lower Lobby) Makati Shangri-La, Makati City

8:30 AM	Welcoming of Guests
8:30 AM	Opening Session and Welcome Remarks
9:00 AM	BAN KI-MOON The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations Chairman, Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future
	KIYOTERU TSUTSUI Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
	Keynote Speech 1: ARSENIO M. BALISACAN Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development of the Philippines
	Video Message: ZANDANSHATAR GOMBOJAV The 34th Prime Minister of Mongolia
9:50 AM	PLENARY 1: Envisioning the Future of Livable Cities: World Leaders on Accelerating Action on SDG 11 Moderator: KIYOTERU TSUTSUI Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
	Keynote Speech: ENDO KAZUYA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Philippines
	Keynote Speech: ANGELO A. JIMENEZ President of the University of the Philippines
	Video Message: MAHATHIR MOHAMAD The 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia
10:30 AM	Coffee and Tea Break
11:00 AM	PLENARY 2: From Vision to Action: Advancing Climate-Resilient Cities Moderator: GITA WIRJAWAN Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia
	Panelist: GUILLERMO LUZ Chairman of Liveable Cities Philippines
	Panelist: GWENDOLYN T. PANG Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross
12:00 PM	Public Luncheon for Attendees
1:30 PM	PLENARY 3: Driving Urban Innovation: Sustainable Solutions for Cleaner, Smarter Cities Moderator: ARIEL C. LOPEZ Associate Professor, Asian Center, UP Diliman
	Panelist: CHANG SUG PARK Vice President for Management of the Korea Environment Institute
	Panelist: GITA WIRJAWAN Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia
	Panelist: SHARI YAMAGUCHI Vice Director of the Global Management Division, El Camino Real
2:30 PM	Coffee and Tea Break
3:00 PM	PLENARY 4: Designing Energy Efficient Infrastructure: Advancing Climate-Adapted Solutions Moderator: RIE HIRAOKA Professor at Kyoto University of Advanced Science
	Panelist: SOHAIL HASNIE Managing Director of Energypreneurs Advisory
	Panelist: DAVE H. KIM Senior Advisor to the President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council, Global Green Growth Institute
	Panelist: PRIYANTHA WIJATUNGA Senior Director of Energy Sector Group, Asian Development Bank
4:00 PM	Coffee and Tea Break
4:30 PM	POLICY ROUNDTABLE: Designing Energy Efficient Infrastructure: Advancing Climate-Adapted Solutions Moderator: David Cohen Co-Program Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
	Panelist: HENRY L. YAP Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) of the Philippines
	Panelist: CEZAR P. CONSING President and CEO of Ayala Corporation
	Panelist: NORIO YAMATO Vice Senior Chief Researcher at the Institute for Urban Strategies, The Mori Memorial Foundation
5:30 PM	Closing Session Closing Remarks: KIYOTERU TSUTSUI Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future
5:40 PM	Commemorative Photo of Speakers
6:00 PM	Private Reception and Dinner
8:00 PM	END OF DAY 1

Venue: GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, Asian Center, UP Diliman

8:30 AM	Welcoming of Guests
8:30 AM	Opening Session
9:00 AM	NOEL CHRISTIAN MORATILLA Dean and Professor, Asian Center, UP Diliman
	KIYOTERU TSUTSUI Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
	Keynote Speech 1: TBA
10:00 AM	Expert Panel 1: Living Legacies: Bridging Tradition and Urban Growth in Cities Moderator: ARIEL C. LOPEZ Associate Professor, Asian Center, UP Diliman
	Panelist: GLECY ATIENZA Director for Research and Creative Work, UP Resilience Institute
	Panelist: REDENTO B. RECIO Associate Professor in the College of Social Work and Community Development at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
	Panelist: GITA WIRJAWAN Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia
11:00 AM	Expert Panel 2: Transforming Urban Transit: From Sustainable Mobility to Social Equity Moderator: DAVID COHEN Co-Program Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
	Panelist: MARIA GOLDA HILARIO Director for Urban Development, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC)
	Panelist: ROBERT SIY Advisor and Co-Convenor of Move As One Coalition
	Panelist: LLOYD WRIGHT Senior Transport Specialist of the Transport and Energy Sectors Group, Asian Development Bank
12:00 PM	Public Luncheon for Attendees
1:30 PM	Emerging Leaders Workshop 1: Reimagining Public Spaces: Critical Approaches for Accessible and Responsive Urban Environments Moderator: CHERYLL ALIPIO Associate Director for Program and Policy, Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University Discussant: CARMELI MARIE C. CHAVES Assistant Professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines, Diliman
	Panelist: KEVIN BAUTISTA MA Student, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
	Panelist: KRISTINE S. CALLEJA MA Student, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
	Panelist: LORDIVINE MARIE PINEDA BA Student, College of Media and Communications, University of the Philippines, Diliman
	Panelist: DIVINA GRACIA ALBAN-TORNO Ph.D. Student, College of Arts and Sciences, Bicol University
3:00 PM	Emerging Leaders Workshop 2: From Risk to Readiness: Strengthening Urban Systems for Disaster Resilience Moderator: ENKH-UNDRAM BAYARTOGTOKH Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mongolia on Programs and Partnership, Prime Minister’s Office, Mongolia Discussant: YASMIN WIRJAWAN Visiting Scholar at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center of Stanford University
	Panelist: MARIVIC C. FLORA Bachelor Student, College of Management, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
	Panelist: GAEA MORALES Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellow, Walter H. Shorenstein Asia- Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
	Panelist: JUNNA QUEEN PRUDENCIADO MA Student, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
	Panelist: REBECCA ANNE VERZOLA MA Student, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
3:30 PM	Keynote Address: BAN KI-MOON The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations Chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future
3:45 PM	Awarding of Emerging Leaders Certificates
4:00 PM	POLICY ROUNDTABLE: Connecting Urban and Rural Futures: Regional Planning for Sustainable Integration Moderator: MICHELLE PALUMBARIT Director, UP CIFAL Philippines and Associate Professor, Asian Center, UP Diliman
	Panelist: FRANCISCO A. MAGNO Professor, De La Salle University- Manila, and Director of the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance
	Panelist: MARK ANTHONY M. MORALES Professor and College Secretary in the School of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
5:00 PM	Closing Session
5:00 PM	Closing Session
	ANGELO A. JIMENEZ President of the University of the Philippines
	KIYOTERU TSUTSUI Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
	KIM BONG-HYUN Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia and Advisor to Mr. Ban Ki-moon
5:15 PM	END OF DAY 2