Masato Kanda Re-Elected ADB President for Second Term

Masato Kanda has received unanimous support from the Asian Development Bank's Board of Governors for a second term as ADB President, with the new five-year term beginning 24 November 2026. Kanda was first elected as ADB's 11th President on 27 November 2024, assuming the position on 24 February 2025 to complete the remaining term of his predecessor, Masatsugu Asakawa.

 

Kanda said "new shocks are striking Asia and the Pacific, even before economies have recovered from the last, and the international order is under its greatest strain in generations," adding that "ADB must be the region's anchor of stability" while mobilising "with speed and at the scale our members need."

 

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Since Kanda took office, ADB provided a record $44 billion in support in 2025, including more than $29 billion from its own resources and nearly $15 billion in cofinancing. A charter amendment during his tenure enabled a 50 percent increase in ADB's annual financing capacity, allowing annual financing from the bank's own resources to exceed $36 billion.

 

Before joining ADB, Kanda served as Special Advisor to Japan's Prime Minister and Finance Minister from 2024 to 2025, and as Japan's Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs from 2021 to 2024, representing Japan in forums including the G7 and G20.

 

Source: Asian Development Bank (ADB)