MANILA — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, marking ADB’s return to the Forum after six years. His engagements focused on deepening regional cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and fostering the conditions necessary to unlock private sector investment across Asia and the Pacific.
“Global fragmentation is not inevitable; it is a policy choice. Across Asia and the Pacific, countries are choosing a different path, prioritizing deeper regional cooperation because they understand that shared prosperity is the foundation of lasting stability,” said Mr. Kanda. “To unlock the region’s vast potential, public funds alone are not enough. We must work with partners to bridge the gap between policy frameworks and private capital, creating the conditions for strong ideas to become investable projects.”
A key outcome of the mission was the launch of the High-Level Private Sector Advisory Group, which will guide ADB’s strategy to harness private investment for sustainable growth, resilience, and digital transformation. Rather than focusing solely on targets, the group will identify market bottlenecks and recommend concrete actions to scale the mobilization of institutional capital.
Mr. Kanda also championed the region’s growth agenda across several key sessions. He participated in the public panel “Is ASEAN Moving Fast Enough?,” where he emphasized that sustaining the region’s momentum requires addressing digital infrastructure and energy security as interconnected challenges. He also delivered opening remarks at the private session “New Pathways for ASEAN Growth and Productivity” and led a discussion on the ASEAN Power Grid, reaffirming ADB’s readiness to commit up to $10 billion to the initiative over the next decade.
During the week, Mr. Kanda met heads of government and senior officials, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav of Mongolia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas of Thailand, and Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb of Pakistan.
Engagements with the private sector focused on strengthening collaboration in key sectors. In a meeting with Grab CEO Anthony Tan, Mr. Kanda discussed digital platforms as essential economic infrastructure for supporting livelihoods, exploring deep collaboration on smarter, greener urban mobility and food supply chains. Separately, he engaged with Boston Consulting Group Global Chair Rich Lesser for a strategic exchange on the critical global economic and geopolitical trends shaping the investment landscape.
Mr. Kanda also engaged with the heads of international organizations, including a meeting with United Nations Development Programme Administrator Alexander De Croo on strengthening delivery in fragile settings. He also held informal exchanges with the heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), European Investment Bank (EIB), and International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Recognizing the importance of research and innovation, Mr. Kanda met with prominent academics and thought leaders, including Dean Kelly Sims Gallagher and Professor Chris Miller of the Fletcher School at Tufts University, President Kohei Itoh of Keio University, President Teruo Fujii of the University of Tokyo, Chancellor Rich Lyons of the University of California, Berkeley, and Vice-Chancellor Mosa Moshabela of the University of Cape Town.
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.
