Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue 2025: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue 2025: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Sunday, November 9, 2025 | 6:00 PM - Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | 3:00 AM
(Pacific)
This event is held in Manila, Republic of the Philippines. All times referenced in the program agenda below are in Philippine Standard Time.
Day 1: Monday, November 10, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. PHT
Isabela Ballroom (Lower Lobby), Makati Shangri-La, Manila
Makati City, Philippines
Day 2: Tuesday, November 11, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. PHT
GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Quezon City, Philippines
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. It will be held in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, on November 10 and 11, 2025 (PHT), and is free and open to the public.
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-sponsors are the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders in the Philippines (UP/CIFAL Philippines) and the Korea Environment Institute (KEI).
Steering Committee: Ambassador Kim Bong-hyun, BKMF; Dr. Cheryll Alipio, Stanford APARC; Professor Kiyoteru Tsutsui, Stanford APARC; Dean Noel Moratilla, UP Asian Center; Professor Ariel Lopez, UP Asian Center; Professor Michelle Palumbarit, UP Asian Center and UP-CIFAL Philippines
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Isabela Ballroom (Lower Lobby)
Makati Shangri-La, Manila
Makati City, Republic of the Philippines
Master of Ceremonies
Cheryll Alipio
Associate Director for Program and Policy
Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Stanford University
8:00–8:30 a.m. — Arrival and Check-In of Speakers
8:30–9:00 a.m. — Registration of General Attendees
9:00–9:50 a.m. — Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
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, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
Keynote Speaker
Arsenio M. Balisacan
Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) of the Republic of the Philippines, Vice Chair of the Economy and Development Council and the National Innovation Council, and former Dean and Professor of the School of Economics at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
Video Message
Zandanshatar Gombojav
The 34th Prime Minister of Mongolia
Commemorative Photo of Speakers
9:50–10:30 a.m. — Plenary 1
Envisioning the Future of Livable Cities: World Leaders on Accelerating Action on SDG 11
Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
Moderator
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
Keynote Speakers
Endo Kazuya
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Philippines
Angelo A. Jimenez
President of the University of the Philippines
10:30–11:00 a.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
11:00–12:00 p.m. — Plenary 2
From Vision to Action: Advancing Climate-Resilient Cities
Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
Moderator
Gita Wirjawan
Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Visiting Scholar at the Precourt Institute for Energy of the Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University, Founder of Ancora Group and Ancora Foundation, and Founding Partner at Ikhlas Capital
Panelists
Guillermo Luz
Chairman of Liveable Cities Philippines, Chief Resilience Officer at the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Consultant at Ayala Corporation, Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness at the Asian Institute of Management, and Trustee of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation
Gwendolyn T. Pang
Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross
Nominchimeg Odsuren
Member of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia
12:00–1:30 p.m. — Public Luncheon for Attendees (Isabela Ballroom, Lower Lobby)
Private Luncheon for Speakers (Manila Room, Level 1)
Hosted by The Honorable Loren Legarda, Senator of the Philippines
Keynote Speaker
Loren Legarda
She is the only woman in Philippine history to have topped two senatorial elections (1998 and 2007) and the only female to have served as Senate Majority Leader. In the 20th Congress, she serves as Chairperson of (1) the Committee on Culture and the Arts, (2) the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, and (3) the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation, where she is the first woman to serve as Chairperson.
Commemorative Photo of Speakers
1:30–2:30 p.m. — Plenary 3
Driving Urban Innovation: Sustainable Solutions for Cleaner, Smarter Cities
Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
Moderator
Ariel C. Lopez
Associate Professor and Assistant to the Dean for Research, Publications, and Information at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines, Diliman
Panelists
Chang Sug Park
Vice President for Management of the Korea Environment Institute
Gita Wirjawan
Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Visiting Scholar at the Precourt Institute for Energy of the Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University, Founder of Ancora Group and Ancora Foundation, and Founding Partner at Ikhlas Capital
Shari Yamaguchi
Vice Director of the Global Management Division, El Camino Real Co. Ltd.
2:30–3:00 p.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
3:00–4:00 p.m. — Plenary 4
Designing Energy Efficient Infrastructure: Advancing Climate-Adapted Solutions
Target 11.c: Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials
Moderator
Rie Hiraoka
Adjunct Professor at Kyoto University of Advanced Science, former Visiting Scholar at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University, and former Director of the Social Sector Division for Central and West Asia Department and former Country Director for the Kyrgyz Resident Mission at the Asian Development Bank
Panelists
Sohail Hasnie
Managing Director of Energypreneurs Advisory and former Principal Energy Specialist of the Southeast Asia Department and Central West Asia Department at the Asian Development Bank
Dave H. Kim
Senior Advisor to the President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council, Global Green Growth Institute
Priyantha Wijatunga
Senior Director of the Energy Sector Group, Asian Development Bank
4:00–4:30 p.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
4:30–5:30 p.m. — Policy Roundtable
From Policy to Practice: Developing Accessible Urban Environments and Housing
Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
Moderator
David Cohen
Co-Program Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Professor of Environmental Social Sciences at the Doerr School of Sustainability, and WSD-HANDA Professor of Human Rights and International Justice, Stanford University
Panelists
Henry L. Yap
Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) of the Republic of the Philippines
Cezar P. Consing
President and CEO of Ayala Corporation
Norio Yamato
Vice Senior Chief Researcher at the Institute for Urban Strategies, The Mori Memorial Foundation
5:30–5:40 p.m. — Closing Session
Closing Remarks
Kim Sook
Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future and former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
5:40–5:50 p.m. — Commemorative Photo of Speakers
6:00–8:00 p.m. — Private Reception and Dinner
Manila Room (Level 1)
Makati Shangri-La, Manila
Makati City, Republic of the Philippines
Hosted by the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Reception
Welcome Remarks
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
Dinner and Cultural Performance
GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Quezon City, Republic of the Philippines
Master of Ceremonies
Danae M. Pantano
University Researcher, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
9:00-9:30 a.m. — Welcoming of Guests
Registration, Check-In, and Breakfast for Speakers and Attendees
9:30–10:00 a.m. — Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
Noel Christian Moratilla
Dean and Professor, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
Commemorative Photo of Speakers
10:00–11:00 a.m. — Expert Panel 1
Living Legacies: Bridging Tradition and Urban Growth in Cities
Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
Moderator
Ariel C. Lopez
Associate Professor and Assistant to the Dean for Research, Publications, and Information at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines, Diliman
Panelists
Glecy Atienza
Professor in the College of Arts and Letters at the University of the Philippines, Diliman and former Director for Research and Creative Work at the UP Resilience Institute
Redento B. Recio
Associate Professor in the College of Social Work and Community Development at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and Research Fellow at InfUr- The Informatl Urbanism Research Hub at the Melbourne School of Design at The University of Melbourne
Gita Wirjawan
Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Visiting Scholar at the Precourt Institute for Energy of the Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University, Founder of Ancora Group and Ancora Foundation, and Founding Partner at Ikhlas Capital
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Expert Panel 2
Transforming Urban Transit: From Sustainable Mobility to Social Equity
Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons
Moderator
David Cohen
Co-Program Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Professor of Environmental Social Sciences at the Doerr School of Sustainability, and WSD-HANDA Professor of Human Rights and International Justice, Stanford University
Panelists
Maria Golda Hilario
Director for Urban Development, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC)
Robert Siy
Advisor and Co-Convenor of Move As One Coalition; Consultant for The Asia Foundation; Columnist for The Manila Times; former Senior Advisor at the Department of Transportation of the Republic of the Philippines; and former Director of the Human Resources Division, Director of Country Coordination and Regional Cooperation Division (Central/West Asia Department), and Director of Programs and Projects (Pacific Department) of the Asian Development Bank
Lloyd Wright
Senior Transport Specialist of the Transport and Energy Sectors Group, Asian Development Bank
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. — Public Luncheon for Attendees (GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium)
Private Luncheon for Speakers
(Asian Center ASEAN-Japan Hall)
Hosted by UP-CIFAL Philippines
Welcome Remarks
Michelle Palumbarit
Associate Professor and Assistant to the Dean for Curriculum and Quality Assurance at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and Director of UP-CIFAL Philippines
Keynote Speaker
Arnaud Peral
United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, United Nations Philippines
Commemorative Photo of Speakers
1:30–2:30 p.m. — Emerging Leaders Workshop 1
Reimagining Public Spaces: Critical Approaches for Accessible and Responsive Urban Environments
Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
Moderator
Cheryll Alipio
Associate Director for Program and Policy, Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
Panelists
Kevin Bautista
M.A. Student in Asian Studies, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Kristine S. Calleja
M.A. Student in Asian Studies, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Lordivine Marie Pineda
B.A. Student in Communication Research, College of Mass Communications, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Daisy Mae R. Bongtiwon
Master of Science Teaching Student, Department of Physics, De La Salle University
Discussant
Carmeli Marie C. Chaves
Assistant Professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning and Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, University of the Philippines, Diliman
2:30–3:30 p.m. — Emerging Leaders Workshop 2
From Risk to Readiness: Strengthening Urban Systems for Disaster Resilience
Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations
Moderator
Enkh-Undram Bayartogtokh
Programs and Partnership Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mongolia
Panelists
Gaea Morales
Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellow, Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
Junna Queen Prudenciado
M.A. Student in Asian Studies, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Rebecca Anne Verzola
M.A. Student in Asian Studies, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Discussants
Yasmin Wirjawan
Visiting Scholar at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center of Stanford University, Independent Commissioner of TBS Energi Utama, Advisor to Ancora Group and Sweef Capital, and Head of the Ancora Foundation
3:30–3:45 p.m. — Special Keynote Address
Introduction
Noel Christian Moratilla
Dean and Professor, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Keynote Speech
Ban Ki-moon
The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future
3:45–4:00 p.m. — Awarding of Emerging Leaders Certificates
Commemorative Photo of Students and Speakers
Coffee & Tea Break
4:00–5:00 p.m. — Policy Roundtable
Connecting Urban and Rural Futures: Regional Planning for Sustainable Integration
Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
Moderator
Michelle Palumbarit
Associate Professor and Assistant to the Dean for Curriculum and Quality Assurance at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and Director of UP-CIFAL Philippines
Panelists
Alfredo Mahar Francisco Lagmay
Executive Director, UP Resilience Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Francisco A. Magno
Professor of Political Science and Development Studies at De La Salle University, Director of the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance, and Coordinator of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Localization Project of DLSU with the City Government of Manila
Mark Anthony M. Morales
Professor and College Secretary in the School of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and President of the Planning and Development Research Foundation, Inc.
5:00–5:15 p.m. — Closing Session
Moderator
Noel Christian Moratilla
Dean and Professor, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman
Closing Remarks
Angelo A. Jimenez
President of the University of the Philippines
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
Kim Bong-hyun
Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia, former President of Jeju Peace Institute, and Advisor to Mr. Ban Ki-moon
For inquiries about the Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue, contact Cheryll Alipio, Shorenstein APARC’s Associate Director for Program and Policy: calipio@stanford.edu.
For press inquiries, contact Noa Ronkin, Shorenstein APARC’s Associate Director for Communications and External Relations: noa.ronkin@stanford.edu.
For registration questions, contact Ms. Roxanne Victoria at roxanne.victoria@escom-events.com.