On the afternoon of March 13, 2024, at Agribank Headquarters, Ms. Pham Thi Huong Giang - Deputy Director of Agribank Financial Institutions Department attended the virtual meeting of the Planning Committee of the Asian Banking Association (ABA).

This meeting of the Planning Committee discussed preparations for the 40th ABA General Meeting and Conference to be held on November 18-19 in Taipei, Taiwan and reviewed the program of ABA activities in 2024, including the 2024 Work Program of the ABA Policy Advocacy Committee. The proposed goals and activities in the Work Program of the ABA Policy Advocacy Committee focus on: promoting the modernization of banking technology to have a future-ready operating platform and enhance cybersecurity; sharing information on AI use and implementation of AI technology in the banking industry; exploring banks' roadmap towards net zero emissions in line with the conclusions of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and investors' expectations about the Science-Based Target (SBT) commitment for banks.

At the meeting, Agribank proposed a number of discussion topics for the upcoming General Meeting including: (i) Anti-money laundering (AML): adapting to the changing regulatory landscape. Challenges and risks of Anti-money laundering activities in the banking industry when applying new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI); (ii) The set of ESG criteria in the banking sector specific for the Asia-Pacific region; (iii) Operation of the open banking model in the Asian market and addressing security risks for open banking.

ABA Association was established in 1981 and currently has 60 member financial institutions in 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnam currently has 4 commercial banks participating as members of ABA including Agribank, Vietcombank, Vietinbank and Eximbank. In the 2024 - 2025 term, Agribank continues to be elected as a member of the ABA Board of Directors. This is the third consecutive term that the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Agribank has been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the ABA Association.

Having joined the ABA Association since 2007 and being an active member of the Association, Agribank has proactively and actively contributed to many activities of the ABA Association such as: participating in important events of the ABA Association, presenting on topics, e.g. Agribank’s Role and Contribution in the Development of Financial Inclusion in Agriculture and Rural Areas; Financial inclusion in Vietnam, etc.

Kylie Nguyen