KATHMANDU, Feb 25: Masato Kanda officially assumed the role of the 11th President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday, the ADB said in a press release. Kanda succeeds Masatsugu Asakawa, bringing nearly four decades of experience in international finance and development policy.
In his new role, Kanda expressed his commitment to promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific, emphasizing ADB’s role in addressing urgent development challenges, according to the press release.
Kanda, formerly Japan’s Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs, is recognized for his leadership during periods of market volatility and his efforts in pioneering innovative financial solutions. The ADB Board of Governors unanimously elected him, confident that his extensive experience and international cooperation expertise would help guide the bank through a rapidly changing global landscape.
Kanda also expressed a strong focus on pragmatic, impactful actions to improve the lives of people across Asia and the Pacific, noting his commitment to leveraging ADB’s expertise and partnerships to drive transformative change.