MANILA, PHILIPPINES (5 May 2021) — The Asia and the Pacific region can emerge from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic “even stronger than before” by focusing on five areas to help achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa said in remarks to the ADB Board of Governors at its 54th Annual Meeting today.

The DW Global Media Forum 2021 will explore ways to address disruptions with innovation. In the aftermath of an extraordinary year, we continue to meet challenges head-on with digital solutions and mutual exchange.

Climate change is a major driver of humanitarian need, alongside conflict and the Covid-19 pandemic. Weather events are becoming more extreme and more frequent – with huge consequences for people already living in humanitarian contexts. Despite the resilience and adaptability of communities living with climate emergencies and related insecurities, they are being hit hard.

3 May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom.