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Masato Kanda, former Japanese vice minister of finance for international affairs, has been re-elected as president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a second term.
The ADB announced the decision in a press release published on its website on Tuesday (September 1), saying its Board of Governors unanimously elected Kanda to another five-year term, effective November 24.
Kanda was first elected as the ADB’s 11th president on November 27, 2024.
Expressing gratitude for the confidence placed in him, Kanda said the Asia-Pacific region was facing fresh shocks before its economies had fully recovered from previous crises, while the international system was under unprecedented pressure.
“The ADB must serve as a cornerstone of stability in the region,” he said, stressing that stability should not mean standing still. He said the bank must mobilise financing and support quickly and at the necessary scale to meet the needs of its members, protect people and build a brighter future for the next generation.
Under Kanda’s leadership, the ADB has significantly increased its support to member countries. In 2025, the bank provided a record $44 billion in assistance, including more than $29 billion from its own resources and around $15 billion through co-financing.
Before joining the ADB, Kanda served as a special adviser to Japan’s prime minister and finance minister from 2024 to 2025. He was Japan’s vice minister of finance for international affairs from 2021 to 2024 and represented the country at major international forums, including the G7 and G20.
Established in 1966, the ADB is owned by 69 member countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.