New Delhi, 9 December 2023: President Tetsuya Watanabe of ERIA delivered a keynote speech during the Inaugural and Plenary Session of the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS). He commended RIS for its four decades of dedicated service to the developing economies in Asia and beyond, and addressed the issues of digital transformation and sustainability.

‘As a long-time admirer of India and its growth story, I can truly say that RIS has indeed fulfilled its mandate by contributing richly to the growth story of India. I would go a step further and say that RIS has also brought together the cooperation among the South in its several forums, which is now culminating in the new DAKSHIN – a center of excellence that will serve the Global South, ’ said President Watanabe.

Emphasising Developing Asia's historical role as a driving force for global growth, President Watanabe underscored the swift recovery of ASEAN and India from supply disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed their pivotal role in meeting soaring demand for goods and services regionally and globally, positioning this region as a hub for efficient and reliable supply chains across diverse sectors.

However, he pointed out two crucial issues requiring attention: digital transformation and sustainability. Developing Asia, he explained, requires a digital-friendly ecosystem to accelerate digital transformation. Additionally, he stressed the necessity of integrating sustainability across all developmental aspects to achieve the dual objectives of robust economic growth and sustainable development.

Concluding his keynote address, President Watanabe introduced ERIA’s Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC). He extended his hope for RIS to assume a greater role in fostering the economic integration and prosperity of Developing Asia, assuring ERIA’s commitment to supporting this journey.