ADB President Calls for Unified Action on Clean Energy and Port Transformation

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has called for stronger collaboration between science, policy, and finance to accelerate the clean energy transition and strengthen sustainable infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific. Speaking at two high-profile international events in Japan—the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum) in Kyoto and the World Ports Conference in Kobe—Mr. Kanda outlined ADB’s new strategic direction for achieving energy security, decarbonization, and resilient trade connectivity in the region.

Addressing an audience that included Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, Mr. Kanda reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to leading Asia’s transition toward clean power systems, while emphasizing the need for innovative financing, regional cooperation, and technology-driven solutions.

“Science and policy must come together to chart pragmatic pathways for clean energy. The Asian Development Bank stands ready to connect these ideas with finance to deliver sustainable results,” he said.

ADB to Review Energy Policy, Endorses Nuclear Power for the First Time

In a landmark announcement, Mr. Kanda revealed that the Asian Development Bank is reviewing its Energy Policy to better address the needs of developing member countries facing the dual challenge of growing energy demand and decarbonization.

For the first time in ADB’s 60-year history, the institution is prepared to support nuclear power projects within its operations. This marks a significant policy evolution for the multilateral lender, which has historically limited its financing to renewable and conventional energy sources.

“We see nuclear power as an important option for countries seeking to shift away from coal and gas baseload and to reduce emissions,” Mr. Kanda said. “ADB’s role will be to make nuclear safe, trusted, and investable.”

The inclusion of nuclear energy aligns with ADB’s goal of providing “pragmatic clean energy solutions” that reflect country-specific needs, especially for economies with limited renewable energy potential or high reliance on fossil fuels.

$10 Billion Commitment to ASEAN Power Grid and Clean Energy Transition

Mr. Kanda reiterated ADB’s pledge to provide up to $10 billion over the next decade to support the ASEAN Power Grid—a flagship regional initiative aimed at connecting power systems across Southeast Asia to enable efficient cross-border electricity trade and greater integration of renewable energy sources.

This funding will help modernize transmission networks, reduce energy bottlenecks, and facilitate the movement of clean power across borders, ensuring that renewable energy is used “when and where it is needed.”

Focus on Critical Minerals and Clean Manufacturing

Highlighting the importance of a secure supply chain for the energy transition, Mr. Kanda unveiled ADB’s “Critical Minerals to Manufacturing” approach, designed to link mining, processing, and industrial development in the clean energy ecosystem.

He cited the bank’s $410 million financing package for the Reko Diq Copper-Gold Project in Pakistan, which aims to establish a reliable supply of copper—an essential metal for renewable technologies, electric vehicles, and grid modernization.

“Reliable access to critical minerals is essential for building the batteries, wind turbines, and grids of tomorrow. Our support for projects like Reko Diq will help anchor the foundation for Asia’s clean energy future,” Mr. Kanda said.

Reimagining Ports for a Sustainable Maritime Future

Following the STS Forum, Mr. Kanda travelled to Kobe to deliver a keynote address at the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) World Ports Conference, which celebrated its 70th anniversary this year.

He urged governments, private investors, and development partners to “reinvent ports as resilient, digital, and low-carbon gateways” capable of sustaining prosperity amid climate challenges and global trade disruptions.

“We envision ports in Asia and the Pacific transforming into highly efficient, digitally enabled, energy-integrated hubs,” said Mr. Kanda. “These ports will safeguard supply chains, generate local employment, foster regional cooperation, and position our economies for sustainable growth.”

His speech outlined a three-pronged roadmap for port transformation:

1. Closing investment gaps through targeted public financing to modernize port infrastructure and logistics systems.

2. Mobilizing private capital and innovation to drive the maritime energy transition, including the adoption of green fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

3. Strengthening regional cooperation so that ports function as interconnected networks rather than isolated nodes, enhancing resilience and efficiency across global supply chains.

ADB–IAPH Partnership for Green and Digital Ports

On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Kanda witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Asian Development Bank and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).

The agreement establishes a framework for joint research, technical exchanges, and capacity-building programs aimed at helping ADB’s developing member countries adopt digital technologies, climate-resilient design, and low-carbon operations in port management.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that Asia’s ports become catalysts for green growth and regional cooperation,” said Mr. Kanda.

Lessons from Kobe’s Renewal and the Spirit of Resilience

Mr. Kanda paid tribute to Kobe’s remarkable recovery from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, describing it as an enduring symbol of resilience and reinvention. He urged the global maritime community to embrace the same spirit of innovation to confront today’s challenges—ranging from climate change and decarbonization to supply chain disruptions and digital transformation.

“Kobe’s journey reminds us that even in the face of immense adversity, renewal is possible. The same principle should guide the transformation of global ports and maritime systems toward a sustainable and interconnected future,” he said.

Science, Policy, and Finance for a Sustainable Asia

Throughout both events, Mr. Kanda emphasized that bridging the gap between scientific innovation, policy frameworks, and financial mechanisms is crucial to realizing the region’s clean energy and sustainability ambitions.

ADB’s evolving agenda, he said, will prioritize inclusive and regionally coordinated solutions, leveraging both public and private financing to accelerate green infrastructure and digital transformation.

“Asia and the Pacific stand at the frontier of the global energy transition,” Mr. Kanda concluded. “We must move decisively—guided by science, supported by finance, and shaped by cooperation—to build a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

The ADB, established in 1966, remains the leading multilateral development institution in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on poverty reduction, sustainable growth, and climate action. Under President Kanda’s leadership, the bank has pledged to mobilize $100 billion in climate financing by 2030, reflecting its growing role as a regional catalyst for innovation and sustainability.