This webinar presented the main findings of ADB’s forthcoming publication, the Social Protection Indicator in the Pacific, specifically providing an analysis of 2018 data on social protection programs in the 14 Pacific developing country members of ADB. Updating the 2015 analysis published in Social Protection Indicator for the Pacific: Assessing Progress (ADB 2019). In addition, the report has special chapters on disability, COVID 19, and a forward-looking chapter for the Pacific region. It considers how social protection programs in the Pacific can be made more inclusive, especially in relation to people with disabilities; how social protection can contribute to more resilient societies and economies in these countries, drawing on their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic; and what could be future directions for social protection in the subregion.   

Speakers: 

• Ananya Basu, Social Sectors and Public Management Division, Pacific Department, ADB 
• Margaret Chung, International Development Consultant 
• Michael Samson, Director of Research of the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) 
• Alex Ivaschenko, Senior Economist/Development Coordination Officer, Samoa UN Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) 
• Grace Chynoweth, Director of Welfare Services, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands 
• Closing: 
• Wendy Walker, Chief of Social Development Thematic Group, ADB 

Moderator: David Abbott, Manager for Data Analysis and Dissemination with the Statistics for Development Division of the Pacific Community (SPC)