The 47th Association of Development Financing Institutions (DFIs) in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) annual Meetings kicked off in Phnom Penh this morning, outlining the important of green agricultural practices, and role of financial institutions in agricultural sustainable development. The three-day event is being hosted by the state-run Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra Held under the theme 'DFIs' Role in Sustainable Financing Ecosystem: Cultivating a Climate-Smart and Sustainable Future,' with participation from 90 institutions from 41 countries of ADFIAP members and stakeholders. H.E. Kao Thach, Director General of ARDB, said in his opening remarks that that hosting the ADFIAP annual meetings will be beneficial to the nation, promoting Cambodia's role on the international stage. 'The meeting is to enhance cooperation and strengthen partnerships between development financing institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, providing an opportunity for Cambodia to sh are experiences and perspectives on the implementation of its special financing programme,' H.E. Kao Thach, who is also the Vice Chairman of the ADFIAP's Board of Directors, said. The meetings will be run with panel discussions related to sustainable agricultural development with key speakers from various backgrounds in agriculture, government, and development partners. ADFIAP was established in 1976 in the form of a non-governmental organisation advising the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with a permanent secretariat in Makati, Manila, the Philippines. It currently has 90-member development financing institutions from 40 countries in Asia. ADFIAP's mission is to promote sustainable development through the strengthening of institutions and financial functions for development, capacity building of members, and advocacy for financial innovation for development. The ARDB of Cambodia has been a member of ADFIAP since 2005. ARDB has been actively involved in implementing the Cambodian gover nment's policy of providing special financing to support all actors in the agricultural, and agro-industrial and socio-economic development chain.