ADB President Calls for Asia Unity at Samarkand Meeting

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) opened in Samarkand, where ADB President Masato Kanda called on countries in Asia and the Pacific to deepen cooperation and build shared resilience through stronger cross-border connectivity. The forum is being held from May 3 to 6, 2026, under the theme “Crossroads of Progress: Building a Connected and Resilient Future.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kanda said countries in the region must “act together to grow together,” stressing that traditional, isolated development approaches are no longer sufficient in today’s global environment.

He noted that decisions taken today will shape the future of the next generation, while increasing global fragmentation requires more interconnected and resilient systems.

The meeting brings together representatives of member governments, international financial institutions, the private sector and development experts. Key discussions focus on regional connectivity, digital transformation and development financing mechanisms.

The ADB president emphasized that modern crises — ranging from energy market volatility to supply chain disruptions and digital risks — spread rapidly across borders and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable economies. He underlined the need for coordinated regional solutions that go beyond national policy frameworks.

The bank reported that it provided US$29.3 billion in financing to regional economies last year, while also accelerating reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of its support mechanisms. As part of its new phase of operations, ADB announced the launch of a US$70 billion program designed to strengthen regional resilience.

The package includes a US$50 billion initiative to develop a Pan-Asian power grid aimed at integrating renewable energy sources across countries and enhancing energy security, as well as a US$20 billion program to develop cross-border digital infrastructure and reduce the digital divide.

It was also noted that ADB continues to provide crisis-response support to countries in the region amid ongoing international tensions and economic risks. The bank presented updated macroeconomic forecasts showing that growth in developing Asia and the Pacific could slow to 4.7% this year, while inflation may accelerate to 5.2%.

In a more adverse scenario linked to escalating geopolitical risks and rising energy prices, growth could decline to 4.2%, while inflation could reach 7.4% in 2026.

Kanda described ADB as an “anchor of stability” amid global uncertainty, stressing that the institution has both the resources and strategy to support regional economies. Established in 1966, the Asian Development Bank comprises 69 member countries, of which 50 are in the Asia-Pacific region.