April 22, 2026
Statement by Ms. KATAYAMA Satsuki, Minister of Finance, Japan
- Mr. KANDA Masato, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), expressed today his intention to continue serving as the President for a subsequent term following the conclusion of his current term on November 23, 2026.
- Since assuming office in February last year, President Kanda has brought outstanding expertise and extensive experience in international finance and development policy, exercising strong leadership across numerous critical initiatives.
Specifically:
- As the Asia and Pacific region faces heightened uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions and other emerging risks, President Kanda has swiftly advanced key policy initiatives, including the formulation of the strategy on critical minerals and the renewal of ADB’s Energy Policy. These efforts aim to diversify global supply chains and ensure stable energy supplies, while contributing to industrial modernization, job creation, and inclusive and resilient economic development in ADB’s Developing Member Countries (DMCs).
- Recognizing the importance of private sector to the region’s economic growth, he has championed a strategic shift in ADB operations toward greater emphasis on private sector development, aiming to quadruple private investment financing.
- To maximize development impact through improved project quality, he has led reforms of ADB’s procurement approach. At the same time, while strengthening risk management, he has paved the way for a significant expansion of ADB’s lending capacity through an amendment to the ADB Charter, enabling the institution to respond to the region’s substantial financing needs.
- Furthermore, as Chair of the Heads of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) Group this year, he has led efforts to strengthen collaboration among MDBs. He has also responded swiftly to crises arising from the conflict in the Middle East, demonstrating strong leadership in addressing both global and regional challenges.
- In light of President Kanda’s achievements to date through his continued efforts and reforms, and in order for ADB to respond to increasingly complex development challenges while providing even stronger support for the enhanced growth of the Asia and Pacific region, I would like to express my strong support for Mr. Kanda’s continuation as President of the ADB.