2nd ADB Learning Week: Learning Sessions on Inclusive Development for Sexual and Gender Minorities in ADB Operations

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Pink Monkey Organization was participated in ADB Learning weeks during 21-23 October 2024, at ADB Head Quarter in Manila, The Philippines. For Pink Monkey had contributed ideas and sharing the experiences/ good practices and lesson learn based on our current works and situation of LGBTQI youths in the rural areas in Thailand. Additional contributions are photo taking and wrapped up presentation for 2 days meeting.

Particular parts, that I think very useful and advantage is the meeting with Executive Director of Thailand, New Zealand and Australia, as it makes all of us know the golden time to meeting them, we need to prepare the precise dialogues or short presentation to express our requirements in the business perspective to all the ED, to let them hear our voices and search for the opportunity to get fund from ADB. The suggestion from ED Thailand reminds us there are many executive persons haven’t known about LGBTQI group in details, as their works never relate to us.

The suggestion of ED from Australia and New Zealand suggested before the CSOs will approach to ask for the financial support from ADB, it should come with the good business plan and the methods of pay back, as the financial support from ADB is the loan.

In some country, they use the good relationship between ADB and their organizations to link to their government in particularly for world café and meeting with Canadian & EU suites of ADB including ADB roadmap 2025-2030 in the last day meeting.

During the 2 days learning session at ADB headquarter office in Manila, which is the 2nd year that the CSOs from 5 countries had a chance to have meeting with ADB to exchange the knowledge and skills between LGBTQI CSOs group and ADB. Things that we all learned from them during In the two days meeting at ADB office in Manila are as follows:

• In the terms of inclusivity Sexual and Gender Minorities in Development Program including Challenges and emerging
• Safeguarding policies and how to operate this policy with the project
• ADB Roadmap plan for year 2025-2030, though it seems to be very difficult for the participants due to the technical terms and some definitions mostly will relate to the bank, which is hard for the community like us to share some ideas with them.
• The parts that sharing for the good practices and success stories from the communities, are very useful and interesting on the panel sessions.
• This year, ADB prepared better receptions, open-up their minds to accept us more the dinner reception is well prepared and lots of fun, ADB also provided nice lunch for 2 days of meeting, the lunch time is the good time of networking and getting to know the new people from both communities and the ADB’s officers.
• 3rd day session, in the morning, Naomi presented ADB Road MAP during 2025-2030, pointed out the significant parts of each section, and we also have on-line meeting with Madhuri Gupta regarding the precise plan of ADB Road Map

Debriefing Meeting on Day1 and Day 2

• Emphasizing the intent to grow and integrate SOGIESC perspectives into ADB operations.
• various civil society organizations (CSOs) and advocacy groups across Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Pacific, and Japan.
• The importance of collaboration in achieving inclusive development in the Asia-Pacific region was highlighted, alongside special recognition of key partners like APCOM.
• Global Affairs Canada was also acknowledged for its support, as were the ADB staff, whose involvement is crucial in fostering inclusive development.
• The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) commitment to inclusive development, focusing on sexual and gender minorities.
• ADB is finalizing its “Roadmap for Inclusive Development of Sexual and Gender Minorities in ADB Operations 2025-2030,”
• The roadmap aims to embrace and empower individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). ADB plans to collaborate with civil society organizations (CSOs) to integrate SOGIESC considerations into its operations
• Key objectives will include building awareness, improving social analysis, developing guidance notes, and creating training tools
• Expressed gratitude for the progress in LGBTQI rights, particularly highlighting Thailand’s upcoming marriage equality law.
• He also mentioned positive developments in the Asia-Pacific region, such as the decriminalization of homosexuality in Singapore and other countries. Despite progress, 15 countries in the region still criminalize same-sex relationships, and only three recognize LGBTQI partnerships.
• He also emphasized that LGBTQI equality doesn’t come easily and requires active community mobilization.
• He also praised the partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its commitment to LGBTQI inclusion through initiatives like learning weeks.
• At final he called for the continuity He called for continued engagement with ADB, stressing the importance of integrating LGBTQI concerns into policy and operations.
• Reid highlighted the importance of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the principle of “leave no one behind,” emphasizing that ADB’s work should address the needs of marginalized groups through social safeguards and an inclusive approach to poverty reduction. This includes ensuring the meaningful participation of stakeholders in project design and implementation and adopting a transformative justice approach for 2025-2030, where SOGIESC-inclusive dimensions are embedded in ADB strategies.

Beyond the Binary: Demystifying SOGIESC for Inclusive Development

• This panel discussion aimed to clarify common misconceptions surrounding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). Expert panellists from the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and South Asia shared their experiences and insights on these complex concepts.
• Panellists emphasized the importance of differentiating between sexual orientation (who you are attracted to) and gender identity (how you identify yourself).
• Panellists shared their experiences in advocating for SOGIESC rights and promoting inclusivity in their respective regions. They discussed strategies such as storytelling,

“Integrating Diverse SOGIESC Perspectives into Development Projects for Equitable Outcomes”

• Inclusive and Equitable Outcomes: The session emphasized the importance of ensuring development projects reflect the lived realities of marginalized communities, including those with diverse SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics).
• Focused on the role of social analysis in identifying marginalized groups who could benefit or be left behind by investments.
• Highlighted the need to consider who lacks access to services (e.g., health, education, transport) and who is affected by shocks like climate change.

Key Challenges:

• Barriers include stigma, legal resistance, and a lack of intersectional approaches.
• ADB’s role in overcoming these barriers involves building staff capacity, partnering with local organizations, conducting needs assessments, and tracking project outcomes through monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

“Advancing Equality: Accelerating SOGIESC Inclusion in MDB Operations through Principles, Policy, and Strategy”

• Discussed how the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its partners can advance the inclusion of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in development operations.
• Francesco (ADB) highlighted the importance of advancing SOGIESC inclusion through the ADB’s roadmap (2025-2030), which includes enhanced data collection and collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs). He emphasized the role of statistics in conversations with development partners and the need for equitable access to services.
• Takako (ADB) focused on ADB’s policy of mandatory environmental and social assessments for projects, ensuring non-discrimination and intersectional approaches to benefit disadvantaged groups. She emphasized the importance of contextual analysis and educating staff to engage communities effectively.

“Safeguarding Inclusivity: Managing SOGI Risks and Sensitivities in ADB Operations”

• Key challenges identified included the
  • Lack of SOGI-specific safeguards within the ESF and the need for better understanding of local contexts.
  • The opportunities to integrate SOGI considerations into existing processes and policies.
  • Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) emphasized their crucial role in advocating for SOGI rights,
  • CSOs needs to provide expertise, and supporting ADB in implementing inclusive practices.
• Naomi emphasized the lack of specific SOGI safeguards within the ADB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
• Nidup responded by clarifying that, although revising the ESF might be difficult due to its pending board approval.

Recommendation: The session should add more group work for brain storming more such as World Cafe, or any issues that ADB and LGBTQI CSOs group should make understanding together. Working together will implement the relationship and group discussion is a good method for community to contribute due to people from community able to brainstorm together and think of the best way in implementing and engaging in their country.

Improvement: This program should be continued and the minute of the meeting should be shared in both ADB and CSOs group to find the points of working together in next year

The future contribution:  Pink Monkey is willing to play as teamwork to support the whole group to achieve our goal in obtaining supporting fund from ADB via the government of each country

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