May 07, 2025
Milan, Italy
Empowering Resilience: The case of weather shocks and air pollution
Environmental risks and economic instability can deepen existing inequalities and create new challenges, and for low and middle-income countries, especially in Asia, these compounded risks increase exposure and deepen existing inequalities. Building resilience in this context requires moving beyond traditional infrastructure investments toward empowering people, markets, and institutions to adapt dynamically.
To explore ideas on how to better protect people and communities, the Institute for Economic Development convened a special event during the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank’s Board of Governors, hosted by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, in Milan, Italy.
The conversation focused on the environmental dimensions of the polycrisis, especially air pollution and weather-related disasters like floods, cyclones, and droughts, and how to build resilience. The session brought together global researchers, think tanks, and policymakers who explored concrete examples and solutions in a polycrisis era.
Watch the event replay and read the "Rethinking Resilience: Adapting to a Changing Climate" report.
Forhad Shilpi, World Bank Group Senior Economist and author of the Rethinking Resilience: Adapting to a Changing Climate report.
Christoph Aubrecht, Programme Coordinator, Global Development Assistance, European Space Agency.
Benedicte Peillon, International Catalyst at Nativa.
Massimo Tavoni, Director at the European Institute on Economics and the Environment, CMCCC Foundation.
Helia Costa, Economist at the OECD.
