ADB President Seeks Re-Election, Pledges Continuity Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has formally announced his intention to seek re-election for a full five-year term, positioning himself as a candidate for continuity and stability at a time of mounting global and regional challenges.

Kanda's current term is set to conclude on 23 November 2026, after he assumed office in February 2025 to complete the remaining tenure of his predecessor, Masatsugu Asakawa.

"In this time of radical transformation, where the development landscape is threatened by multiple, compounding shocks, ADB provides an anchor of stability for our developing member countries," Kanda said. "With the trust of our partners, it would be my honor to continue leading ADB for the next five years."

A Leadership Bid Backed by Record Performance

Kanda's re-election bid comes on the back of a record-breaking operational year in 2025, during which ADB significantly scaled up its development financing and expanded its strategic footprint across Asia and the Pacific.

Key achievements under his leadership include:

• $29.3 billion in ADB financing, a 20% increase from 2024

• $14.7 billion mobilised from partners, bringing total development finance to $44 billion

• Support expected to generate millions of jobs and benefit hundreds of millions of people across the region

These figures reflect ADB's growing role as a central financing institution amid rising demand for infrastructure, climate action, and economic resilience.

Driving Regional Transformation Initiatives

Kanda has also overseen major regional initiatives aimed at strengthening connectivity and sustainability:

• $10 billion commitment to the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), a flagship project to integrate regional energy systems

• Over $10 billion for the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program

• Launch of a Regional Connectivity Fund to support cross-border infrastructure

In addition, ADB has delivered $14 billion toward its $40 billion food systems transformation agenda, addressing food security challenges exacerbated by climate change and global supply disruptions.

Crisis Response and Rapid Deployment

ADB's responsiveness to crises has been a key feature of Kanda's tenure. The bank:

• Became the first multilateral development bank (MDB) to announce a support package linked to the Middle East conflict

• Delivered rapid emergency assistance to countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam

These interventions highlight ADB's role as both a development partner and a crisis-response institution.

Sweeping Institutional Reforms

Kanda's leadership has also been marked by deep structural reforms aimed at strengthening ADB's long-term capacity and effectiveness.

Among the most significant changes:

• First-ever amendment to the ADB Charter, enabling a 50% expansion in lending capacity

• Introduction of a new energy policy, including support for nuclear power for the first time

• Launch of a comprehensive Environmental and Social Framework

• Implementation of a streamlined procurement system to improve efficiency and sustainability

• A landmark co-financing agreement with the World Bank, allowing mutual reliance on each institution's systems

ADB also introduced a Strategic Human Resource Framework to ensure the organisation remains agile and equipped to meet evolving development challenges.

Positioning ADB for the Future

Kanda's campaign messaging focuses on navigating a rapidly changing global landscape, characterised by:

• Climate change and energy transition pressures

• Rising geopolitical tensions

• Economic volatility and debt challenges

• Increasing demand for infrastructure and social investment

"If reelected, my priority will be urgent action to protect our region against today's challenges while building a brighter future for the next generation," he said.

Election Process Ahead

ADB Presidents are nominated by member countries from the Asia-Pacific region and elected by the Board of Governors, with each term lasting five years.

While no other candidates have yet formally declared their intention, the election is expected to draw close attention from member states, given ADB's expanding role in global development finance.

A Critical Moment for Regional Leadership

As Asia and the Pacific remain central to global growth—and increasingly exposed to climate and economic risks—the leadership of ADB will play a pivotal role in shaping the region's development trajectory.

Kanda's bid signals a push for continuity in strategy, reforms, and partnerships, at a time when stability and scale are seen as essential to meeting the region's complex challenges.