Photo courtesy of ADB

New Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Masato Kanda officially assumed office after being unanimously elected by the ADB Board of Governors, replacing Masatsugu Asakawa

Kanda, the 11th president of the ADB, is committing to respond to “pressing development challenges” and ensuring that the multilateral lender “remains the partner choice for the region.”

“I am ready to harness the collective expertise within our organization and work closely with our partners to drive transformative change, especially for those most in need,” he said.

“Our focus will be on pragmatic actions that deliver real results, ensuring that our support creates lasting improvements in the lives of people throughout Asia and the Pacific,” he added.

Kanda brings with him nearly four decades of experience in international finance and development policy, previously serving as Japan’s Vice-Minister for Finance for International Affairs where he was instrumental in pioneering innovative financial solutions and orchestrating policy actions that helped stabilize markets.

“Masato Kanda brings a wealth of experience and a refreshing perspective to ADB. His proven track record in navigating complex financial challenges and fostering international cooperation makes him the ideal leader to guide us as we build upon our strengths and seize emerging opportunities,” ADB Board of Governors chair Fabio Panetta said.

“I am confident that under his leadership, ADB will deliver targeted and impactful solutions for our developing member countries,” he added.