MANILA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Directors endorsed a new Strategic Human Resource Framework designed to empower an agile, high-performing workforce to tackle the region’s most complex development challenges. The Framework establishes a common set of guiding principles to ensure fair and supportive employment practices across all stages of a staff member’s career. By modernizing its approach to talent, ADB aims to attract global experts and support its people to deliver greater impact across Asia and the Pacific.
“From the moment a candidate considers joining us and throughout the whole employment lifecycle, we are committed to providing care and support, given our people are ADB’s most important institutional asset,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “With this framework as our commitment, we are creating a workplace that is rewarding for our current staff and also highly attractive to the best global talent. Every professional at ADB will find a culture that values their growth, supports their well-being, and offers a platform to make a meaningful impact across our region.”
Organized around seven stages of the staff journey, from planning and recruitment to professional growth and eventual departure, the Framework supports staff through a clear and institution-wide guiding direction. It prioritizes significant investments in learning and development, recognizing these as a shared responsibility of ADB and its staff. By offering diverse career pathways and promoting mobility across the institution, including between headquarters and field offices, ADB will further strengthen its versatile workforce with deep institutional knowledge and broad regional perspectives.
A key pillar of this initiative is fostering a fair, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are celebrated. The Framework emphasizes transparent performance practices and strengthens the connection between individual contributions and institutional goals, ensuring that excellence is recognized and rewarded. It also reinforces a commitment to physical and mental well-being, supporting a healthy work environment that sustains long-term performance and professional satisfaction.
Indicators focused on areas such as staff experience, learning access, and recruitment timeliness will be tracked to ensure the Framework’s successful implementation. The Budget, People, and Management Systems Department will lead the rollout of these updates, ensuring they are integrated into daily operations to build a more agile and responsive institution.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
