Prior to this appointment as Director General of the Strategy and Policy Department at ADB, he worked in Southeast Asia and Pacific regions and led the Health Community of Practice. Before joining ADB, he was a member of the Indian Administrative Service. An electrical engineer by training, he has a master’s degree in health sciences and a PhD in public health economics. He is a Distinguished Fellow, Pahle India Foundation, India.
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Lead exposure remains a significant public health threat in Asia and the Pacific, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The global effort to address lead poisoning must focus on stricter regulations, enhanced healthcare capacity, and coordinated international action to protect vulnerable populations.
We must address the structural causes of inequalities, which go beyond globalization in both the developed and the developing world.
Recently, someone from one of our developing member countries commented that ADB is too small, slow and self-centered. This assessment might sound harsh, but the numbers speak for themselves.
Thomas Piketty, a young French economist, has redefined the relationship between capital and inequalities in his book Capital in the Twenty-First Century.
The Post-2015 development agenda is leaning toward a goal of eradicating absolute poverty by 2030. The World Bank’s recently approved corporate strategy has the same goal. I believe, however, that this target is absolutely meaningless for our region, Asia and the Pacific.
I do not have a birth certificate. Even though I was born in the capital city of the biggest province in India, my birth was never registered. Luckily, I went to school where they recorded my date of birth and my high school certificate gave me an identity. Now, I also have a passport and I can prove who I am.
Economic growth is crucial for poverty reduction, but its impact varies across different settings, highlighting the need for inclusive growth strategies.
The significant increase in life expectancy and decrease in fertility rates in Asia present a challenge due to the lack of support systems for the aging population. We need to address these demographic changes, including revising policies like the retirement age to better support the elderly.
The debate over a proposed ban on oversized soda drinks triggers a broader discussion on obesity and public health.
A new institution, offering greater development assistance, is badly needed.
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