The theme of the conference is cross-sectoral innovation for a sustainable future. Affected by COVID-19，the Forum was originally scheduled to be held in Manila, Philippines, and switched to online for the first time. Thousands of delegates from the Asia-Pacific region, including government officials, private sector companies, experts and academics, and members of non-governmental organisations, participated in the meeting via the Internet.

Dr Feng An, Executive Director of the Innovation Centre for Energy and Transport (iCET), was invited to give an online keynote speech on 18 June to provide an update on the progress of the ADB-funded、iCET-led technical assistance project "Developing a Climate Friendly Refrigeration Sector through Market and Financing Innovation", including the results of a survey of refrigeration equipment for users in various sectors in Ningbo and a cost-benefit analysis of energy efficiency retrofits for specific commercial premises.

Dr An Feng emphasised that the project, which uses Ningbo as a pilot for technical support, aims to help the city improve energy efficiency in the refrigeration sector, reduce the use of hazardous refrigerants, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact, and provide lessons that can be applied to other countries in China and Asia through the design and development of a diversified business model and innovative financial mechanisms.

Commenting on the project, Zhou Yun, Senior Environmental Specialist of the Sustainable Infrastructure Division of the Asian Development Bank's East Asia Bureau, pointed out that the technical support project could help ADB identify more investment opportunities for environmentally friendly refrigeration in the Yangtze River Delta region, in conjunction with innovative market and financing mechanisms to promote sustainable refrigeration solutions more effectively. The meeting was chaired by Sujata Gupta, Director of the Asian Development Bank's East Asia Bureau.