Asian Development Bank (ADB)
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May 6, 2026
Asia’s important role in the global economy depends on deep engagement with global value chains. An ADB report released at the annual meeting, however, shows the benefits aren’t spread evenly across the region.
The report, Global Value Chains and Inclusive Development, shows that many developing economies participate only marginally, missing out on growth, jobs, and poverty reduction.
Read a related blog: Participation in Global Value Chains Is No Longer Enough
FT Live: Powering a connected future: Can Asia build a super grid?
The vision of a pan-Asian super grid—linking electricity systems across the region and potentially extending to Europe—is taking shape. Building it demands unprecedented cooperation, investment, and trust between neighbors.
Panelists at this seminar included Priyantha Wijayatunga, a senior director at ADB’s Energy Sector Office, who cited energy security, high power demand, and the climate challenge as reasons to pursue a super grid.
“This is a natural progression of interconnecting subregions. The larger the geographical area you inter-connect, the better it is.”
Khulan Bat-Erdene, deputy minister of finance of Mongolia, highlighted the need to ensure transmission through such a grid was done equitably to ensure growth is inclusive.
BASH Wind Power Project in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is moving towards a low-carbon economy, supported by ADB which today signed a $116 million financing package for a 300-megawatt wind power plant in the country’s Bukhara region. This includes $25 million from the Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund 2.
“ADB’s connected approach is helping countries build resilience across energy, food, water, ecosystems, and communities in Uzbekistan,” said ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Isabel Chatterton.
ADB also signed a cooperation agreement with the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to increase investment and jobs in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. MIGA and ADB will jointly explore projects over the next three years that pair ADB equity investments, debt and guarantees with a range of MIGA guarantees.
See you in Aichi-Nagoya!
The dynamic city of Aichi-Nagoya in Japan will host the Asian Development Bank’s 60th Annual Meeting on 2 to 5 May 2027. It will be Japan’s sixth time as host, and a great opportunity to reflect on the remarkable progress of ADB’s members and partners since the Bank formally opened for business in Manila on 19 December 1966.
Thanks for being with us over the last four days in Samarkand. See you in Japan!
