Philippines
(Governance Cross-pillar course)
Central bank governance revolves around the central bank’s authority and capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver on its mandate and maintain public trust. Guided by the principles of transparency and accountability, central bank governance covers the legal mandate, structures, policies and practices that safeguard the independence of the institution. This places the legal function as a core pillar of effective governance.
Legal units are frequently being called upon to interpret central bank charters and related legislation, clarify mandates and institutional authority and advise on legal issues arising in the course of operations. They also support enforcement actions by validating legal bases, safeguarding due process, and managing legal challenges related to supervised entities. Beyond their external-facing responsibilities, legal teams are deeply involved in internal governance, offering advice on ethics, disciplinary matters, procurement, and the internal policy framework that underpins institutional integrity.
These recurring and interconnected demands demonstrate a clear need for a focused governance program tailored specifically to the unique responsibilities of heads of legal departments in central banks.
Objective
This summit is designed based on the needs assessment survey conducted among SEACEN member central banks. It will provide a platform for the participants to exchange insights into how central banks approach common governance issues, identify emerging trends that are reshaping legal mandates, and reflect on the evolving role of legal departments amidst rapid technological and policy developments.
Target Participants
The 2026 Governance Summit is targeted towards General Counsels, Heads and Senior Leaders of Legal Departments of Central Banks. Directors who perform core legal functions within the central banks may also participate.
Resource Persons
The Summit is conducted in partnership with the Centre for International Governance Innovation and will feature subject matter experts in the industry as well as the SEACEN Centre Faculty. Senior leaders from member central banks will also be invited to share their institutions’ best practices and insights on key legal challenges and evolving governance issues faced by central banks.
