On May 3-4, 2018, the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), together with its members Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and partner Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), made their way to the Asia Development Bank’s (ADB) 51^st Annual Meeting held at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

CODE-NGO was co-organizer of the Civil Society Program of the event, the main goal of which was to highlight the role of CSOs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It convened and facilitated the first “Learning with Partners” session where esteemed guests composed the panel on “Localizing the Open Government Partnership: Pushing the Boundaries of Local Governance” [https://web.facebook.com/ADBandNGOs/videos/1703451593067924/].

Succeeding “SDG Talks” have also been provided by MINCODE – “Leave No Mindanawon Behind: Working with CSO Networks and Recognizing Local Initiatives for Peace and Development in Mindanao – The Family Conversations for Marawi Rehabilitation Experience” [https://web.facebook.com/ADBandNGOs/videos/1703915556354861/], PBSP – “Collective Action towards Collective Impact on Health – The PBSP Experience” [https://web.facebook.com/ADBandNGOs/videos/1703599593053124/], and PEF – “Improving lives through a social enterprise approach” [https://web.facebook.com/ADBandNGOs/videos/1703788209700929/]. Some of the photos of the sessions may be accessed here: https://web.facebook.com/caucusofdevelopmentngonetworks/photos/pcb.1905271302840352/1905270412840441/?type=3&theater (OGP), https://web.facebook.com/caucusofdevelopmentngonetworks/photos/pcb.1905589889475160/1905589652808517/?type=3&theater (MINCODE), https://web.facebook.com/caucusofdevelopmentngonetworks/photos/pcb.1905294389504710/1905294179504731/?type=3&theater (PBSP), https://web.facebook.com/caucusofdevelopmentngonetworks/photos/pcb.1905468882820594/1905468486153967/?type=3&theater (PEF).

The event was even made meaningful with the colourful and informative exhibits provided by the participating civil society organizations. Some of the photos of the exhibits may be accessed here: https://web.facebook.com/caucusofdevelopmentngonetworks/photos/pcb.1904150476285768/1904150046285811/?type=3&theater.

Highlights of the #CSOPlasa were compiled by ADB’s NGO & Civil Society Center and may be accessed thru https://web.facebook.com/ADBandNGOs/videos/1706058589473891/.

Celia Fatima de Jesus is CODE-NGO’s Program Officer for Knowledge Development and Management.