Meeting on waste management and formation of a circular economy held on January 29, 2021 
Meeting on micro-grid development utilizing renewable energy held on February 5, 2021 The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in November 2015 and has been regularly holding meetings with ADB to share experiences and know-how in certain sectors such as infrastructure and renewable energy and discuss projects in these sectors, aiming for the promotion of quality infrastructure investment in the Asia-Pacific region. Based on the MOU, the participants share their opinions on a variety of issues and the possibility of future projects. At a meeting held on January 29, 2021 they discussed waste management and the formation of a circular economy, and on February 5, 2021 micro-grid development utilizing renewable energy. Both meetings were attended by more than 10 participants from relevant organizations within ADB such as the Southeast Asia Department (SERD), Pacific Department (PARD), Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC), Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD), Office of Public-Private Partnership (OPPP), and the Strategy, Policy, and Partnerships Department (SPD), depending on the theme.
At the meeting on January 29 about waste management and the formation of a circular economy, particularly in the Philippines and Pacific island countries, JBIC explained related issues, such as problems with marine plastic waste in island countries. JBIC also highlighted the high level of technology and wealth of knowledge held by Japanese companies and local governments pertaining to the collection and processing of waste, waste-to-energy, and recycling. ADB shared its view that the keys to solving waste processing issues are fiscal measures by the public sector and greater awareness of waste segregation among private individuals. ADB also showed interest in the technology of Japanese companies to process plastics and generate energy from waste.
At the meeting on February 5 about micro-grid development utilizing renewable energy, particularly in the Philippines and Pacific island countries, JBIC explained the stand-alone power supply system that utilizes renewable energy and the wind power generation system that is operable in strong wind conditions such as typhoons owned by the Japanese private sector. ADB showed interest in the Japanese companies' technology and shared its view that it is crucial to structure appropriate financing according to the size of projects. One of the ADB participants showed interest in future projects run by well-experienced companies including those from Japan.
As Japan's public financial institution, JBIC will continue to provide financial assistance to promote investment in quality infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region.