iRAP joined the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-hosted 2026 Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum in Manila, Philippines last week with a focus on turning sustainable transport priorities into real-world action.
Transport systems in Asia and the Pacific are at a critical juncture. Governments face increasing demands to improve connectivity, safety, and system performance, while ensuring that transport investments deliver sustained economic and social benefits.
It’s also a defining moment, as ADB’s developing member countries enter the early implementation phase of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035).
Held from 18-22 May, the flagship event gathered over 1,000 policymakers and transport practitioners including government counterparts from ADB’s 49 developing member countries, private sector leaders, and development partners.
Discussions centred on the practical steps needed to implement ambitious transport agendas in the region.
iRAP CEO Greg Smith joined the Parallel Session – Emerging Technologies and Trends in Safe and Sustainable Mobility alongside:
- Moderators: Ganesh Kailasam and Priti Gautam, Senior Transport Specialists, ADB
- Johan Forseke, Head of Asia Pacific, Greater Than
- Eduardo Banzon, Director, Human and Social Development, ADB
- Booey Bonifacio, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Grab Philippines
- Colin Broadwood, Head of Assets and Climate, TRL
- H.N.A. Hettiarachchi, Director General, Road Development Authority (Sri Lanka)
- Sveta Milusheva, Senior Economist, The World Bank
Greg also joined a training session on Using Transport Data for Better Investment Decisions alongside:
- Moderator: Rika Hayashi, Principal Knowledge Management Specialist, DOCK, ADB
- Alvin Mejia, Co-Team Leader, Asian Transport Observatory (ATO)
- María Belén Vásquez, Data Specialist, Transport and Climate Change, GIZ
- Sveta Milusheva, Senior Economist, The World Bank
- Michael Anyala, Senior Transport Specialist (Road Asset Management), ADB
- Colin Broadwood, Head of Assets and Climate / Ride, TRL
The event provided an opportunity for Greg to speak with donors and development banks who are active in the region about how blended finance, sustainability bonds, and private investing can support (and are supporting) investments in projects that improve transport safety, accessibility and climate resilience.
This year’s Forum built on a single idea: that the gap between good transport policy and real results on the ground can be closed, and that closing it starts with the right conversations, the right tools, and the right people in the room.
Hear Greg’s reflections from the event:
View the full agenda and technical session materials on the official Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum 2026 Event Page.
