Masato Kanda

I was pleased to meet Ms. Noriko Nasu, the newly appointed CEO of the Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF). As part of ADB’s broader platform to strengthen regional financial resilience, CGIF plays a vital role in mobilizing local currency financing and supporting bond market development by providing credit guarantees across ASEAN+3. In a time of global uncertainty, strong capital markets are essential for growth. ADB looks forward to working closely with Ms. Nasu and CGIF to deepen regional financial markets and expand access to finance.

Pakistan has made notable progress in restoring macroeconomic stability. This strong reform momentum creates a window to advance more sustainable and inclusive growth. Today, ADB launched a new country partnership strategy for Pakistan for 2026–2030, focused on export- and investment-led growth and underpinned by stronger public financial management and an enabling business environment. Private sector development will be central to this agenda. ADB will support reforms and investments to improve infrastructure, expand access to finance, and promote public–private partnerships, while unlocking opportunities across critical minerals, energy, transport, agriculture, water, and skills. ADB will work closely with Pakistan to accelerate private sector-led development and strengthen our long-term partnership. News release: adb.org/news/adb-launc…

Bhutan offers a compelling example of what it means to put nature at the heart of development. I had the opportunity to meet H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, to discuss the country’s development priorities. Strong GDP growth, estimated at 8.5% in 2025, reflects a clear and forward-looking vision. ADB is supporting Bhutan’s ambitions, including through $1 billion in assistance over 2024–2028, across climate-resilient infrastructure, trade facilitation, public finance, and human development. ADB will remain a reliable, long-term partner in this journey. News release: adb.org/news/adb-presi…

On the sidelines of the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum, I met with @FAODG Qu Dongyu and Nobel Laureate Prof. Michael Kremer. Following the framework agreement signed by ADB and FAO last year, ADB is mobilizing innovative finance to deliver its $40 billion commitment to food systems, backed by FAO’s technical expertise. Simultaneously, we are exploring digital tools like accessible weather forecasting with Prof. Kremer and his team at the University of Chicago’s Development Innovation Lab to protect vulnerable farmers. ADB will keep driving the action needed to secure a resilient food supply.

It was a pleasure to welcome Vice Prime Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino Lopes of Timor-Leste to ADB today during the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026. ADB is fully committed to supporting Timor-Leste in leveraging its ASEAN membership to advance national development goals, and preparing for its ASEAN Chairship in 2029. We also agreed on the urgent need to tackle malnutrition and build a vibrant private sector that creates good jobs for youth, which is essential for long-term social stability and inclusive growth. ADB remains fully committed to this partnership.

During the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026, I witnessed the signing of two cooperation agreements: between ADB and the @WFP, and between ADB and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Our agreement with WFP will strengthen collaboration to integrate nutrition into food systems, including through nutrition-sensitive agriculture, school meals, and climate-resilient food systems, focusing on vulnerable communities. Our partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reflects an updated cooperation agreement through 2030 to advance food systems transformation. Together with our partners, ADB will continue scaling practical solutions that strengthen food security and build more resilient food systems across Asia and the Pacific.

Food systems are at a turning point. The time to secure our region’s future is now. Today at @ADB_HQ, we convened global leaders for the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026, joined by @FAODG Qu Dongyu and Nobel Laureate Michael Kremer. We discussed how to build more resilient food systems across Asia and the Pacific: mobilizing private capital; integrating water, ecosystems, and agriculture investments; improving healthier diets; and generating inclusive rural employment. From 2022 to 2025, ADB delivered over $14 billion in food security support, achieving our commitment. We are now scaling up to a $40 billion food systems transformation agenda through 2030. Together with our partners, we will rewire how food is grown, moved, financed, and consumed to nourish people, protect nature, and create economic opportunities across our region. News release: adb.org/news/adb-surpa…

It was a pleasure to meet with high-level officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, and other government representatives of Uzbekistan, the host country of the 59th ADB Annual Meeting in Samarkand this May. I appreciate the government’s strong commitment to ensuring a successful gathering for our members and partners, including efforts to address transport and logistical challenges amid the conflict in the Middle East. ADB looks forward to working closely with Uzbekistan to deliver a successful Annual Meeting.

2026 is a turning point for ASEAN. Implementing Vision 2045 means translating agreement into measurable economic results. At the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat, I shared how @ADB_HQ is stepping up as ASEAN’s strategic financing partner and advisor. It was also a timely discussion as the conflict in the Middle East could have spillover effects in Asia, including through higher energy prices and shipping disruptions. With public and private sector operations under one roof, ADB is delivering dedicated financing, upstream project development, and deeper regional coordination. The scope of our partnership is broad. Beyond a commitment of up to $10 billion for the ASEAN Power Grid, we are advancing regional initiatives to build AI readiness, deepen capital markets, and develop the blue economy. ADB stands ready to step up as the region’s main bank to help ASEAN build an integrated region that is resilient enough to withstand the uncertainties ahead.

A very productive conversation with @ADBPresident Masato Kanda in Manila. We touched on the global outlook, reforms to unlock growth, the need for deeper ASEAN integration, and how the IMF and @ADB_HQ can help strengthen capacity development in the region.

Strong partnerships matter most in uncertain times. I was pleased to welcome @KGeorgieva, Managing Director of @IMFNews, to @ADB_HQ today. Many economies across Asia and the Pacific face rising debt vulnerabilities, tighter financial conditions, and growing geopolitical uncertainty. Coordination between our institutions has never been more important. We discussed how IMF macroeconomic stabilization support and ADB’s operations for development can work together to help countries manage shocks while sustaining growth and protecting social spending. Partnerships like these help our members navigate today’s challenges. I appreciated the opportunity to exchange views with Kristalina.

I was pleased to speak at ADB’s #InternationalWomensDay event today, joined by H.E. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya (@Dr_HariniA), Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, whose presence added special significance to the occasion. Across Asia and the Pacific, women’s labor force participation stands at 44%, compared with 74% for men—a gap that represents a major missed opportunity for growth. When women lead, everyone benefits. In Cambodia, an ADB-supported project restoring coastal ecosystems helped a woman in a fishing community triple her income. In Indonesia, a women-led water association improved irrigation management, helping triple rice yields and increase farmer incomes by 50%. @ADB_HQ is currently the only multilateral development bank that measures results for women at project completion. Over 70% of ADB projects approved last year mainstreamed gender equality, ensuring women and girls benefit directly from development investments. Full remarks: adb.org/news/speeches/…

It was a privilege to welcome Sri Lanka Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya (@Dr_HariniA) to ADB today to reaffirm our strong development partnership. This meeting underscored our commitment to post-cyclone recovery, inclusive growth, and advancing women’s equality. Sri Lanka’s resilience in the face of crises has been remarkable. @ADB_HQ is committed to helping Sri Lanka rebuild after Cyclone Ditwah, while also investing in the country’s future by empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening education and essential skills. Our dialogue also focused on shared priorities, including macroeconomic stability, private sector-led growth, and modernizing education.

Critical minerals will shape the future of Asia and the Pacific’s energy transition and digital economy. It was a pleasure to welcome Graceline Baskaran, Director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at @CSIS, to @ADB_HQ. We had a valuable exchange of views on the evolving role of critical minerals in Asia and the Pacific. ADB has adopted a new approach to support Critical Minerals-to-Manufacturing value chains. By leveraging our financing, technical expertise, and convening power, we are helping our developing member countries move beyond extraction to high-value manufacturing while fostering the regional cooperation needed to harmonize standards, create quality jobs, and power a green and digital future for all.

It was a pleasure to welcome Yutaka Ito, Commissioner of Japan’s Financial Services Agency, to @ADB_HQ. As Commissioner of Japan’s Financial Services Agency, Mr. Ito oversees financial regulation and stability in Japan. We discussed the importance of strong financial systems for sustainable growth and resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Japan remains one of ADB’s closest partners, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to strengthen financial systems and mobilize investment across the region.

I was pleased to meet with Anje Schubert, whom I recently appointed as the new Ombudsperson at @ADB_HQ. She will play an important role in providing a confidential and impartial space where members of the ADB community can raise concerns and seek guidance through constructive dialogue. I look forward to working with Ms. Schubert as she takes on this responsibility in strengthening trust and communication across ADB.