Masato Kanda

It was a great honour to visit President @bongbongmarcos at Malacañan Palace to discuss the economic impact of the Middle East conflict on the Philippines, and ADB’s readiness to provide up to $1.75 billion to support the country’s response. The Philippines is ADB’s home. We see the pressure this crisis is placing on families, workers, and businesses here, and ADB will act swiftly. This financing will support the government in protecting vulnerable communities, managing fiscal pressures, and strengthening the economy’s ability to withstand this shock. News release: adb.org/news/adb-presi…

I appreciated meeting private sector leaders from the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh, PRAN-RFL Group, BRAC Bank, Banglalink, Paramount Group, and DBL Group, to hear directly about the opportunities and constraints shaping investment today. Bangladesh is a young country, brimming with entrepreneurs. But to turn ideas into lasting businesses and good jobs, the private sector needs a supportive policy environment, quality infrastructure, energy security, and financing structures that share risk fairly. ADB is working with the government and private sector to improve the investment climate, develop bankable PPP projects, and expand financing and risk-sharing solutions in areas such as energy, transport, and digital infrastructure.

I had the privilege of meeting Prime Minister @trahmanbnp to reaffirm ADB’s readiness to support Bangladesh’s development agenda at this pivotal moment for the country. ADB’s partnership with Bangladesh spans more than five decades, and we are the country’s largest development partner in terms of disbursement. I presented ADB’s Integrated Growth Network Development report, through which ADB intends to commit $5 billion over the next five years to support economic diversification, investment and jobs, balanced regional growth, and a smooth transition to LDC graduation. News release: adb.org/news/adb-presi…

It was a pleasure to see Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Minister of Finance and Planning and ADB Governor for Bangladesh again. We discussed the challenges the global uncertainty presents for Bangladesh's growth, inflation, and issues such as banking sector stress. Together we witnessed the signing of four loan agreements totaling $1.42 billion to support macroeconomic stability, protect vulnerable communities, and invest in transport connectivity and resilient urban development. This includes scaled up support of $250 million to help address financing gaps linked to the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. ADB remains committed to helping Bangladesh navigate global uncertainty and build a more sustainable and inclusive future.

I visited the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority to inaugurate two ADB-supported facilities: the Integrated Water Operation Center and a new child day care center. The operation center strengthens operational intelligence for more reliable and efficient water services across Dhaka. The day care center was established under an ADB project supported by a $5 million Asian Development Fund (ADF) grant. It supports staff who are working parents, helping create a workplace where women can participate fully. Infrastructure is not only pipes and plants. It is also systems, services, and workplaces that allow a city and its people to thrive. @ADB_HQ will continue supporting more reliable, inclusive, and resilient cities.

I was so glad to meet with colleagues at ADB’s Bangladesh Resident Mission and to inaugurate the renovated ground floor of the office. Bangladesh is navigating a challenging period marked by inflation, external pressures, and growing global uncertainty. Our resident mission colleagues are central to ADB’s response. Thank you for the important work you do every day. I hope this renewed space helps our teams collaborate, engage more closely with clients, and continue delivering results for Bangladesh.

I’m glad to be in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for a visit focused on the country’s next phase of sustainable and inclusive growth. Over the coming days, I will meet government officials and private sector leaders, and see the results of our partnership. ADB is scaling up its support to help address financing gaps linked to the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. For more than five decades, @ADB_HQ has partnered with Bangladesh, and we stand ready to continue supporting the country’s development journey, especially in these challenging times.

The Asian Development Policy Report 2026 examines how evolving global value chains can deliver more inclusive and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Global value chains helped power Asia and the Pacific’s rise, but the gains remain deeply uneven. Participation alone does not automatically translate into development gains. AI and digitalization are transforming production and trade, geopolitical shifts are reshaping supply networks, the energy transition is creating new demand, and environmental compliance is redefining market access. To better understand what these shifts mean for economies at different stages of global value chain participation, I encourage you to read the report: adb.org/publications/a…

As this year’s Chair of the MDB Heads Group, I spoke at the #G7 in Paris about how MDBs are working together to help countries respond to the economic impacts of the Middle East conflict. Watch this short video for more.

At the International Partnership Session at the #G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, I shared how MDBs are adapting to this challenging moment by working more closely as a system. MDB cooperation is advancing across three areas: mobilizing private capital at scale, reducing duplication and increasing coordination, and aligning around impact, from jobs and critical minerals value chains to water security. ADB, as Chair of the MDB Heads Group, is leading collective action among MDBs. We will further deepen coordination with the G7 and other partners to translate commitments into development impact at scale. News release: adb.org/news/adb-presi…

Warmest congratulations and best wishes to Matthew Wale on his election as Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. ADB greatly values its long-standing partnership with Solomon Islands, which has continued to grow since 1973. I was pleased to inaugurate ADB’s Resident Mission in Honiara earlier this year, reflecting ADB’s commitment to working even more closely with the government and people of Solomon Islands. ADB looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Wale and his government to support Solomon Islands’ development agenda.

During today's session on the global economy at the #G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, I stressed the multilateral development banks' commitment and ADB’s leadership in supporting countries to respond to the economic impacts of the Middle East conflict. Our support is focused on helping countries manage immediate pressures while safeguarding development gains, protecting vulnerable populations, and maintaining essential services by supporting trade and production flows of essential goods, fast-disbursing budget finance, and targeted policy advice. This crisis is also a reminder that resilience and development are interconnected. To strengthen collective resilience, ADB launched two initiatives last month to connect our region’s power grids and digital networks, mobilizing $70 billion by 2035 and benefiting more than 850 million people.

Today, ADB coordinated and published a joint statement to the #G7 from a group of seven MDBs on our collective response to the wider economic impacts of the conflict in the Middle East. MDB Joint Statement: adb.org/news/joint-sta… MDBs are acting together. We are combining financing, policy support, private sector instruments, and technical expertise at scale to deliver fast, targeted responses that protect the most vulnerable, preserve essential services, support firms and jobs, and strengthen long-term resilience. As Chair of the MDB Heads Group, ADB continues to work to ensure MDB coordination remains relevant, pragmatic, and responsive to shareholder expectations. @AfDB_Group @ADB_HQ @COEbanknews @EBRD @EIB @the_IDB @WorldBankGroup

Arriving in Paris for the #G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting. At a time of heightened economic uncertainty, rising development needs, and growing pressure on the global system, multilateral development banks (MDBs) are working not just alongside one another, but more deliberately as a system. As Chair of the MDB Heads Group, I look forward to engaging with G7 partners and sharing how MDBs are stepping up together, with stronger coordination and a sharper focus on the countries and people most exposed to today’s shocks.

I am pleased to welcome Jacob Kooter Laading as ADB’s Head of the Office of Risk Management. Jacob brings more than 30 years of experience across credit, market, liquidity, operational risk, and compliance. He joins ADB from the Nordic Investment Bank in Helsinki, Finland, where he served as Vice-President, Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Risk & Compliance, and has also held senior roles at DNB and EBRD. In this role, Jacob will provide strategic leadership in strengthening ADB’s comprehensive risk management framework, ensuring risks remain within the Bank’s tolerance, and promoting sound management of credit, market, and operational risks across ADB’s operations. I am very much looking forward to working with Jacob as we continue to deliver with discipline, resilience, and impact.

In Cebu, I joined ASEAN leaders and partners to move strategy into action—from the 48th ASEAN Summit to the Special BIMP-EAGA Summit. ADB will mobilize up to $30 billion to support ASEAN’s long-term resilience and competitiveness. Watch the wrap-up.

Great meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet at the ASEAN Summit to congratulate him on Cambodia’s strong development progress. I thanked him for the enduring partnership between Cambodia and ADB. As we navigate a challenging global environment, ADB stands ready to step up our support. We are committed to strengthening our cooperation to help Cambodia manage current crises and advance its national priorities.

Honored to meet with His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam at the ASEAN Summit. I commended his leadership within BIMP-EAGA and Brunei’s vital role in advancing regional cooperation. Amid a challenging global environment, ADB is expanding our support across the region. We are eager to continue backing BIMP-EAGA priorities, driving regional integration, and delivering results.

I congratulated Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on his appointment and thanked him for 60 years of partnership between ADB and Thailand. ADB has tripled our staff presence in Thailand to over 100 since 2020. We have significantly expanded our private sector operations in the country, mobilizing over $3 billion since 2021. Thailand plays a strategic role in regional integration, and we are advancing to build long-term climate resilience through the $1.5B Chao Phraya Flood Risk Management Project.

I was pleased to meet Prime Minister @anwaribrahim at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, where I commended him on Malaysia's strong economic performance and exemplary leadership during its ASEAN Chairship last year. As ADB mobilizes up to $30 billion to support ASEAN priorities by 2030, we recognize Malaysia's highly strategic role in regional connectivity. Malaysia serves as a vital transit point for the ASEAN Power Grid and could be involved in over 10 planned interconnection projects. ADB is ready to support these efforts with financial and technical expertise, while continuing our strong collaboration on the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund to drive sustainable regional development.