The Asian Bankers Association is pleased to announce that this year's 42nd ABA General Meeting and Conference will be held on September 1-3, 2026 at the Kurumba Resort in Maldives. The venue and dates were confirmed by the ABA Planning Committee during its meeting held on February 11, 2026.
To be hosted by Bank of Maldives, the three-day event is designed to provide another valuable platform for ABA members to meet and network with each other, as well as to exchange views with invited experts on: (a) current trends and developments in the regional and global markets that are expected to have a significant impact on the banking and financial sector of the region, and (b) how industry players can address the challenges - and take full advantage of the opportunities - presented by these developments.
As agreed by the Planning Committee, this year’s Conference will carry the theme “Banking in Asia: Investing to Build Resilience”. Invited speakers will address the following issues during four Plenary Sessions:
Theme: “Banking in Asia: Investing to Build Resilience”
Plenary Sessions
(1) Digital First for the Digital Era
This plenary provides an opportunity to discuss innovative ways through which to deliver banking services that meets the need of customers. Topics can include:
- Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation Strategies
- Payment revolution for the next-gen
- AI-powered growth
- Financial education in the age of misinformation
- Agentic commerce
- Cross border payments innovation
(2) Sustainability: Building Resilience
This plenary offers an opportunity to discuss environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns. Topics can include:
- Financing climate adaptation covering both the public and private sector.
- Incorporating sustainability in business operations: case studies from across Asia.
- Blue economy and sustainable tourism finance
(3) Success Through Synergy: Leveraging Technology for Risk
The integration of technology in risk management is critical for Asian banks, and its successful application by banks with more resources available to invest in this area can hold invaluable lessons for peers. Topics can include:
- Utilisation of risk management software
- Use of predictive analytics to forecast future risks
- Risk strategies to support digital progress
- Responsible AI in banking
- Governance and board oversight
(4) Governors’ Roundtable
The Governors’ Roundtable, convened as a plenary session, will bring together central bank governors from key regional jurisdictions to exchange best practices on issues such as financial stability, digital transformation, and sustainable finance, which will share the future of banking regulation and economic resilience across Asia and beyond.
If you have further comments on the session topics, we would appreciate hearing from delegates.
ABA welcomes suggestions on possible speakers for any of the four sessions using the Speaker Suggestion Form and sending it back to us soonest.
ABA will send the Tentative Program and other relevant information (e.g., hotel accommodation, registration procedure, etc.) very soon. In the meantime, may we request delegates to block the dates in your calendar of events this year.
