Najam Speaks at the 10th Anniversary Meeting of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – Boston University

Report on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 10th Anniversary Meeting

Event Overview and Participation

Professor Adil Najam participated in a plenary panel during a special seminar for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, China. The event, held from June 24 to June 26, marked the 10th anniversary of the bank’s board of governors meeting. The seminar’s theme was “Connecting for Development, Collaborating for Prosperity,” directly aligning with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Professor Najam was invited to address the topic of gender and development, a critical component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Keynote Address: Integrating Gender Equality into Sustainable Development Frameworks

Core Arguments for Advancing SDG 5

In his address, Professor Najam underscored the urgent need to embed gender equality, as outlined in SDG 5: Gender Equality, into the core of all development projects. He noted that the event coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Women’s Conference, acknowledging past progress while stressing that significant objectives remain. He articulated several key principles for the effective integration of gender equality in development initiatives:

• Centrality of Gender: Gender considerations must be a foundational value in project conceptualization, not an afterthought. This approach is essential for achieving genuine and lasting progress on SDG 5.
• Commitment over Slogans: Professor Najam cautioned against the superficial use of “gender integration” as a slogan, stating that such an approach is counterproductive. True advancement requires a sustained, long-term commitment to structural change.
• Dignity and Respect: Every initiative aimed at promoting gender equality must be rooted in the principles of dignity and respect for all individuals, which is a cornerstone of human-rights-based approaches to development.

The Role of the AIIB in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals

Commitment to Sustainable Infrastructure and Climate Action

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development institution fundamentally focused on sustainable development and regional connectivity, which are key drivers for several SDGs. The bank’s operations demonstrate a strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda.

1. SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): With over 200 projects approved across 33 countries, the AIIB is a major contributor to building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable industrialization.
2. SDG 13 (Climate Action): The bank has surpassed its climate finance targets three years ahead of schedule. In 2022, 56% of its financing was dedicated to climate mitigation and adaptation projects, a direct contribution to global climate goals.
3. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): As one of the largest multilateral development banks by membership (over 100 members), the AIIB exemplifies global partnership. Its mobilization of over $2.4 billion in private capital in 2022 further highlights its role in strengthening the means of implementation for sustainable development.

Conclusion: A Call for Integrated and Dignified Development

The panel discussion at the AIIB’s 10th-anniversary meeting reinforced the indivisible nature of the Sustainable Development Goals. Professor Najam’s remarks provided a critical reminder that goals such as SDG 5 (Gender Equality) cannot be isolated from economic and infrastructure development, as pursued under SDG 9 and SDG 13. Achieving a sustainable future requires a holistic framework where gender equality is treated as a non-negotiable, core component of all development efforts, championed through robust global partnerships as envisioned in SDG 17.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses several issues that directly connect to four specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core theme of Professor Najam’s speech is “gender and development.” He emphasizes the need to make gender a central value in development projects, referencing the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Women’s Conference and warning against treating gender integration as a “mere slogan.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article focuses on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a “multilateral development fiscal institution, primarily focusing on sustainable development and regional connectivity across Asia and beyond.” Its work in approving over 200 projects is a direct contribution to building infrastructure.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly mentions the AIIB’s commitment to climate finance. It states that the bank “surpassed its climate finance target three years ahead of schedule, with 56% of its 2022 financing dedicated to climate mitigation and adaptation.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire event described is an example of partnership. It involves a multilateral development bank (AIIB), an academic institution (represented by Professor Najam), and another international organization (OECD, represented by Mari Kiviniemi). The event’s theme, “Connecting for Development, Collaborating for Prosperity,” and the AIIB’s nature as a multilateral institution with over 100 members, underscore the importance of collaboration.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.
   • Professor Najam’s call to “refrain from viewing gender as an afterthought in development and must assign it a core value while conceptualizing projects” and to treat “gender integration as a long-term commitment” directly supports the adoption of strong policies within development institutions like the AIIB.
2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
   • The article states that the AIIB’s primary focus is on “sustainable development and regional connectivity across Asia and beyond” and that it has “approved more than 200 projects across 33 countries,” which aligns with the goal of developing infrastructure.
3. Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually… to address the needs of developing countries.
   • The article highlights that the AIIB “surpassed its climate finance target” and that “56% of its 2022 financing dedicated to climate mitigation and adaptation,” demonstrating its role in mobilizing financial resources for climate action.
4. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
   • The event itself, bringing together the AIIB, OECD, and academia (Professor Najam), is a multi-stakeholder partnership designed to share knowledge and expertise on development. The AIIB is described as a “multilateral development fiscal institution” with “over 100 members,” embodying this target.
5. Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
   • The article explicitly mentions that the AIIB “mobilized over $2.4 billion in private capital in 2022,” which is a direct example of mobilizing financial resources from sources beyond public funds.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For SDG 5: A qualitative indicator is implied in Professor Najam’s speech: the extent to which gender is treated as a “core value” in project conceptualization rather than a “mere slogan.” Progress could be measured by analyzing project design documents for genuine gender integration.
• For SDG 9: A clear quantitative indicator is provided: the AIIB has “approved more than 200 projects across 33 countries.” The number of infrastructure projects approved and implemented serves as a direct measure of progress.
• For SDG 13: The article provides two specific quantitative indicators:
  1. The percentage of financing dedicated to climate action: “56% of its 2022 financing dedicated to climate mitigation and adaptation.”
  2. The amount of private capital mobilized for development, which includes climate finance: “over $2.4 billion in private capital in 2022.”
• For SDG 17: Several indicators are mentioned:
  1. The number of member countries in a multilateral partnership: The AIIB has “over 100 members.”
  2. The mobilization of financial resources through partnerships: The AIIB “mobilized over $2.4 billion in private capital in 2022.”
  3. The existence of multi-stakeholder collaborations, such as the seminar itself, which brought together the AIIB, OECD, and academia.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bu.edu