Masato Kanda reelected as ADB president for 5-year term

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Asian Development Bank has unanimously reelected Masato Kanda as its president for a second five-year term, beginning on 24 November 2026, according to an announcement from the Manila-based institution.

Kanda was first elected as the 11th president of the ADB on 27 November 2024 and took office on 24 February 2025 to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor, Masatsugu Asakawa.

Following his reelection, Kanda expressed gratitude to the member countries for their trust at a time when the region faces new economic shocks and the international system experiences heightened instability. He stated that the ADB must remain an anchor of stability for the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing that stability requires timely resource mobilization to support member states and foster long-term development.

Under Kanda's tenure, the ADB expanded its financial assistance to developing member countries amid multiple regional crises, providing a record US$44 billion in total support in 2025. This total included more than US$29 billion from the bank's own resources and nearly US$15 billion in cofinancing.

The bank's lending capacity was expanded following a historic amendment to the ADB Charter, which increased its annual financing capacity by 50 percent. As a result, annual commitments from the bank's own resources can exceed US$36 billion.

Before joining the ADB, Kanda served in senior government positions in Japan. From 2024 to 2025, he was a special adviser to the prime minister and minister of finance, following his tenure as vice minister of finance for international affairs from 2021 to 2024. In these roles, he represented Japan at major international forums, including the Group of Seven and Group of Twenty.

Established in 1966, the ADB focuses on promoting economic growth, social inclusion, and economic resilience across the Asia-Pacific region by financing infrastructure, improving living standards, and supporting environmental protection. The bank currently comprises 69 member countries, 50 of which are located within the region.