Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Purpose

Promote economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific through loans, grants and technical assistance.

Members:

68 member countries (49 from within Asia-Pacific, 19 from outside the region)

Headquarters:

Manila, Philippines

History

The ADB was established in 1966 to support post-war reconstruction and development across Asia, modelled on the World Bank but focused specifically on the Asia-Pacific region.

Structure

• Board of Governors
• Board of Directors
• Headed by the President

Key facts

• By long-standing convention, the President has always been Japanese, reflecting Japan's role as one of the bank's largest shareholders
• Current President: Masato Kanda (Japan), since 2025

Pakistan's relationship

Founding member (1966); one of the Bank's significant borrowing members for infrastructure and energy projects.