I hope everyone had a good start to the year! The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) North American Representative Office (NARO) celebrated a busy winter with important engagements in the US and Canada. At the NARO End-of-Year Reception, we joined friends and colleagues to celebrate an impactful year and highlight key ADB achievements, including the successful completion of the Asian Development Fund 14 replenishment, increased financing capacity through the capital adequacy review, and key sector and thematic knowledge sharing events.

2025 is also a significant year for NARO, celebrating 30 years since its establishment! To honor our 30th Anniversary, NARO will hold a series of events throughout the year in the US and Canada, focused on our valued relationship. We will undertake a futures analysis exercise led by Bart W. Édes, Professor of Practice, McGill University & Distinguished Fellow, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, aimed at identifying promising areas for cooperation between ADB and the US and Canada by the year 2055.

The NARO 30th Anniversary launch event included a high-level panel discussion on future opportunities and challenges in Asia and the Pacific over the next 30 years, highlighting the importance of partnerships between ADB and the US and Canada to promote sustainable growth and development. Panelists included Scott Morris, ADB Vice President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific), Margaret Kuhlow, Deputy Assistant Secretary of International Development Finance and Policy at US Treasury, and Anthony Hinton, Minister-Counsellor, Political Affairs at the Canadian Embassy in DC.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with you to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific. Please check out our upcoming events such the 13th Business Opportunities Fair from 16-17 September 2025 at the ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines. And please be sure to stay updated via our NARO webpage and social media channels for relevant events and 30^th Anniversary content!

We are delighted to share the following video commemorating NARO’s 30^th Anniversary. This milestone celebrates three decades of fostering meaningful connections with the US and Canada, driving sustainable development, and advancing the shared vision of a prosperous and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. Join us as we reflect on NARO's history and look ahead to a future of continued collaboration and innovation.

In the Spotlight

For nearly six decades, the ADB and Canada have forged a powerful partnership, addressing pressing challenges across Asia and the Pacific. As a founding member of ADB, Canada’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the region’s development journey. As NARO celebrates its 30^th Anniversary, we reflect on these past achievements and look forward to Canada's continued impact. 

Learn more in the ADB Partner Spotlight

Opportunities for Asia and the Pacific over the next three decades, and the importance of partnerships with the US and Canada, were discussed at the NARO 30^th Anniversary event. The discussion was moderated by Samuel Tumiwa, NARO Representative, with Vice President Morris, and senior-level panelists from US Treasury and the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC. The event was attended by over 30 participants, concluding Mr. Édes unveiling a futures research exercise to guide NARO’s year-long exploration of the region’s landscape over the next 30 years.  

ADB’s Private Sector Development shift and its implementation were the focus of two targeted presentations—one at NARO in Washington, DC, and another at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in Ottawa. Delivered by Trevor Lewis, Advisor, SPD, and Head, Unit for Non-Sovereign Operations, the presentations highlighted key reforms, including updates to ADB’s corporate scorecard, business process improvements, and structural changes aimed at fostering private sector growth in developing member countries. Attended by key officials from the Canadian and US governments and the development community, the discussions also examined how ADB’s upstream, midstream, and downstream operations are being aligned to enhance private capital mobilization and support sustainable economic development. 

NARO held strategic discussions with GAC in Ottawa, to strengthen collaboration and ensuring alignment with priorities for 2025. Mr. Tumiwa, shared strategies for enhancing Canadian visibility and recognition of their support to ADB, exploring potential events in Canada, and strengthening partnerships on resilience and innovative financing mechanisms. During the mission, Mr. Tumiwa met with senior officials from the Finance, Indo-Pacific Programming and Trade teams, including Patricia Pena, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cam Do, Director General and Geoff Black, Director from the team responsible for Canada’s relationship with the Multilateral Development Banks. NARO also explored areas of collaboration and knowledge sharing with other government and development partners in Ottawa, such as Finance Canada and the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada.

The future of Fragile and Conflict Affected Situations (FCAS) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was presented at NARO, in line with the NARO 30th anniversary theme of future casting. Ben Graham and Rose McKenzie from the Fragility and Engagement Division discussed ADB’s FCAS and SIDS Approach, key challenges, and priorities toward 2030 and beyond. Participants from government, multilateral agencies, think tanks, and other organizations discussed conflict risks, development financing needs, migration and displacement, and other long-term challenges. They emphasized the importance of partnerships, civil society, and community engagement in addressing challenges.

ADB together with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the Platform on Disaster Displacement convened international organizations in Geneva on harnessing development and finance to address internal displacement. ADB’s joint report with IDMC was presented, followed by a dialogue with the Santiago Network secretariat, the African Development Bank, and the University of Dhaka, moderated by Mr. Goldfinch. In his closing remarks Mr. Tumiwa highlighted the role ADB can play in supporting developing member countries reduce internal displacement, and he noted that further efforts were needed to help sectors understand how prevention and solutions can be integrated into investment projects.

Chen Chen, ADB Director of Transport, attended the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meetings in Washington, DC. During the TRD week, Mr. Chen spoke on a panel about ADB's electrification projects and new loans for public transport electrification at the World Bank Electric Mobility Salon: Inaugural Roundtable.

The importance of integrating disaster risk reduction in financing for development was highlighted by Mr. Borghijs at an event on the sidelines of the Third Preparatory Meeting for the Financing for Development Conference. The event was organized by the Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and brought together experts from various organizations to discuss experiences in integrating DRR into financing frameworks, leveraging public, private, and international investments for DRR and building resilience. Participants recognized the substantial work ADB has undertaken so far in contributing to disaster resilience in Asia and the Pacific. 

ADB Publishes Report on Building Resilient Critical Minerals Supply Chains

As the demand for critical minerals in sustainable energy technology rises, ADB has published a brief guide developing member countries on how to de-risk and mobilize finance for mining. The paper focuses on building resilient global supply chains and boosting regional cooperation. Learn more about it here. 

NARO's Opening in 1995

Zoe Coutlakis

Zoe joined NARO as a research associate, and is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Foreign Service program at Georgetown University, specializing in International Development. Her interests lie in how economic and governance reforms influence development in fragile and conflict-affected states. Zoe has experiences in policy analysis and stakeholder engagement at the Carnegie Middle East Center and The Carter Center,

Sylvia Hu

Sylvia joined NARO as a research associate, bringing her passion for international development straight from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where she’s a second-year master's student. Before landing at ADB, she worked at various think tanks and NGOs like the Atlantic Council and Mercy Corps. Originally from Guangzhou, China, Sylvia is fluent in five languages and juggling four more.