Greetings from Junkyu Lee, NARO Representative | | February 2026 - April 2026 | | |
It is a pleasure to share this edition of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) North American Representative Office (NARO) newsletter. As Representative of NARO, I look forward to advancing ADB’s visibility and strategic engagement across Canada and the United States in support of ADB’s mission. In the coming years, NARO will further strengthen partnerships with private sector stakeholders including industry and technology leaders, deepen policy engagement with key government and policy institutions, and expand knowledge and thought leadership collaboration with leading think tanks and universities in Canada and the US. NARO aims to support innovation, investment, and policy solutions while strengthening collaboration with Canada and the US to address complex development challenges in Asia and the Pacific.
Prior to joining NARO, I served as Director in ADB’s Finance Sector, focusing on financial sector stability and development, sustainable finance, and strategic partnerships across Asia and the Pacific. This experience brings an operational and policy perspective to NARO’s efforts to deepen engagement and collaboration across Canada and the US.
As this edition is released during Asian Heritage Month, we also recognize the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of these communities and reaffirm ADB’s longstanding commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable development across the region.
A key highlight of this period was the visit of ADB President Masato Kanda to Washington, DC, which further strengthened ADB’s visibility, standing and strategic engagement with US officials and global development leaders. During the visit, President Kanda held high-level bilateral meetings, including with Francis Brooke, Assistant Secretary for International Trade and Development and nominee for Deputy Secretary at the US Department of the Treasury, and engaged with multilateral development bank (MDB) leaders on Value for Money procurement approaches. He also delivered a keynote conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations, and at other high-level forums, where he highlighted ADB’s priorities for inclusive growth and economic opportunity across the region.
NARO participated in the US State Department Summit on the Pacific Agenda, where Scott Morris, ADB Vice President of East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and Emma Veve, ADB Director General of the Pacific Department, highlighted ADB’s role in advancing investment and development outcomes in the Pacific and the importance of multilateral collaboration.
Strengthening engagement with the private sector will continue to be a central focus of NARO’s work. In Washington, DC, on 2 April, NARO hosted the first Industry Day event “Business Opportunities Seminar and Procurement Workshop”, convening more than 50 US companies and enhancing ADB’s visibility among private sector partners interested in business opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. ADB presented fundamentals of doing business with ADB, effective bidding strategies, recent procurement reforms including the Procurement Directive, and the updated Environmental and Social Framework. An overview of the US government resources for US companies was provided by the US Department of Commerce.
ADB also has recently published the Asian Development Outlook, ADB Annual Report 2025 Solving Complex Challenges Together: Scaling Up for Impact, Partnership Report 2025: Partnership for Scale and Impact, and Together We Deliver 2026: Asian Development Fund. I hope this edition of the newsletter provides a snapshot of our recent activities and shows opportunities for continued collaboration. Please stay connected through the NARO webpage and social media channels for events and updates.
| | President Kanda Engages MDB Leaders and Partners in Washington, DC | | |
President Kanda concluded a week of high-level engagements in Washington at a time of global economic uncertainty with a call for collective resilience through regional cooperation. Chairing the Heads of MDBs meeting, President Kanda led discussions on strengthening collaboration for resilience. The Heads advanced priorities to foster private sector development, collaborate on critical minerals and water security (Water Forward), and improve effectiveness through mutual reliance and a common Value for Money procurement framework.
Addressing the World Bank-IMF Development Committee and the Council on Foreign Relations, he highlighted ADB's swift action to stabilize economies through fast-disbursing budget support and expanded trade finance. At a G7 ministerial event on critical minerals, he emphasized the vulnerability of concentrated supply chains and outlined ADB's efforts to advance environmental standards and mobilize private capital for minerals-to-manufacturing value chains.
| Strengthening Partnerships at the US State Department Summit on the Pacific Agenda | | VP Scott Morris underscored ADB’s deepening engagement in the Pacific during a week of high-level discussions in Honolulu, Hawaii, focused on investment, security, and shared prosperity on 23-24 February. The US State Department Summit on “The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity” brought together leaders from Pacific Island countries, high level US Government officials, and senior private sector representatives. VP Morris addressed senior US and Pacific leaders on engaging the private sector in small and frontier markets. He highlighted ADB’s strengthened mandate for private sector development and shared lessons on how governments and multilateral development institutions can adapt their approaches to unlock investment in Pacific economies. DG Emma Veve also participated in key summit meetings, reinforcing ADB’s role and partnerships in the region. | | ADB's Strategic Recruitment Mission in Canada and the US: Attracting Experienced Professionals to ADB Operations | | ADB engaged with professionals and development practitioners across Washington, DC, and Ottawa, from 27 April to 1 May through a series of targeted outreach events including career presentations, one-on-one sessions, and networking engagements. This was the first formal ADB recruitment event in Canada. The discussions provided practical insights into ADB’s operations, priority sectors, and recruitment pathways, while highlighting opportunities to contribute to development impact across Asia and the Pacific. These engagements also reinforced ADB’s focus on attracting diverse, high-caliber talent to support its strategic priorities, including private sector development, regional cooperation, and digital transformation, among others. | | | |
Value for Money in MDB Procurement
The Heads of MDBs Group, under the leadership of ADB’s Chairmanship, have launched a joint procurement assessment framework showing Value for Money (VfM) in MDB-financed contracts. ADB proposed a joint initiative to harmonize terminology, improve measurability, and strengthen value assessment across projects.
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Regional Connectivity Fund for Energy in ASEAN
The Regional Connectivity Fund for Energy in Southeast Asia (RCF) will finance critical project preparation work for cross-border energy and transmission infrastructure for the ASEAN Power Grid, the region’s flagship initiative to achieve fully integrated electricity grid operations by 2045. The RCF is a key initiative delivered under the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund, with funding of $2 million from the Government of Canada.
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| Partnering with the East West Center for a Roundtable on Resilient Economies | | Building on the discussions at the US State Department Summit on “The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity,” on 26 February VP Scott Morris and DG Emma Veve participated in a roundtable organized by NARO and the East West Center on “Asia-Pacific at a Crossroads: Building Resilient Economies for a Better Future.” Alain Borghijs, NARO Deputy Representative, moderated the session. VP Morris and DG Veve shared insights on ADB’s evolving approach for resilient, inclusive growth pathways amidst global changes. The exchange brought together private sector, think tank, and academic leaders to explore how shifts in international development are creating new opportunities and challenges. | | Launching the Asian Development Outlook 2026 with Asia Society, Georgetown, and the Peterson Institute for International Economics | | |
Albert Park, ADB Chief Economist, launched the Asian Development Outlook 2026 and engaged with senior policy, academic, and financial stakeholders on Asia and the Pacific’s evolving economic outlook amid continued global uncertainty, as well as ADB’s role in addressing global development challenges in Washington, DC from 13-17 April.
During his visit, Dr. Park presented ADB’s latest analysis on regional economic developments, including the impact of geopolitical tensions and the conflict in the Middle East on growth, inflation, and financial conditions across Asia and the Pacific. He participated in the concluding panel of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings featuring chief economists of six MDBs. He also shared these messages as part of high-level roundtables and discussions with leading institutions including the Asia Society Policy Institute, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
At other events hosted by Foreign Policy, IFPRI, Georgetown University, and the World Bank, Dr. Park also delivered remarks on ADB’s role in addressing global development challenges such as debt distress, food security, rapid population aging, digital transformation, investing in natural capital, and scaling up evidence-based development interventions. Together, these engagements provided an opportunity to share ADB’s latest analysis and to deepen dialogue on the outlook for growth, resilience, and economic cooperation across Asia and the Pacific.
| | Presenting the Greening Transport Infrastructure Development Program | | |
The launch of the Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development (GRID) Program took place during Transforming Transportation week on 12 March in Washington DC, bringing together development partners to discuss how transport infrastructure can better account for biodiversity.
On behalf of ADB’s environment and transport divisions, Samuel Tumiwa, former NARO Representative, highlighted the ADB’s collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and the Global Environment Facility to strengthen biodiversity in transportation planning. He shared examples from Nepal and the Philippines, where these efforts are helping inform project design and support more sustainable infrastructure approaches. The discussion contributed to broader efforts among development partners to advance transport solutions that balance infrastructure and environmental protection.
| | Advancing Water Security Collaboration with the US Chamber of Commerce and Atlantic Council | | On the margins of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, Norio Saito, Senior Director for ADB's Water and Urban Development, convened a dialogue with the US Chamber of Commerce to strengthen engagement with US private‑sector and utility partners on water security. The discussion highlighted ADB’s operations in the water and urban sector, the Asian Water Development Outlook 2025, and the Water Organizations Partnerships for Resilience. Participants explored collaboration opportunities, ranging from participation in ADB-financed technical assistance and loans, utility twinning and innovation to upstream engagement, and knowledge partnerships to support more resilient, inclusive, and investment‑ready water solutions across Asia and the Pacific. While in DC, Mr. Saito also was interviewed by the Atlantic Council's Geotech Center where he described the Asian Water Development Outlook 2025 and outlined ADB recommendations for water and infrastructure management. | | Engaging the Young Diplomats of Canada in Washington, DC | | Natasha Mooney, Unit Head of External Relations at NARO, met with a delegation from the Young Diplomats of Canada in Washington, DC on 14 April. The discussion highlighted ADB’s work to support sustainable development, regional cooperation, and inclusive growth across Asia and the Pacific, as well as the importance of Canada’s longstanding partnership with ADB. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives with emerging Canadian leaders and underscored the value of youth engagement in shaping future approaches to international development and economic cooperation. | | Connecting with Students at American University | | |
Shanti Regmi, Research Associate at NARO and American University alum, returned to the School of International Service to join four panel discussions each distinct in topic yet deeply connected in purpose. She spoke with newly admitted students about her journey as a first‑generation graduate student, engaged in conversations with first‑generation students about their challenges and aspirations, and shared practical insights on staying passionate and building meaningful connections in large global spaces like the World Bank Meetings.
Across all panels, a common thread emerged: how to navigate uncertainty while staying grounded in what inspires us in the development space. Many participants expressed curiosity about ADB’s work, its mission, and the diverse career paths it offers highlighting a growing interest in the institution’s role and opportunities in Asia and the Pacific.
| | Upcoming Opportunities for Canadian and US Companies | | |
Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum | 18-22 May 2026 | Manila, Philippines:
The Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum (APTF) 2026 is the Asian Development Bank’s flagship transport sector event, bringing policymakers, transport practitioners, and development partners from across Asia and the Pacific to engage in high-level dialogue, technical exchange, and capacity development grounded in real-world delivery experience. Find more information about the event here.
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Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar | 25-27 May 2026 | Nadi, Fiji
The seminar is for contractors and consultants interested in contributing to infrastructure development activities in the Pacific. The event is hosted, in partnership with the US, and will convene key representatives from Pacific governments, business, and development partners to discuss the infrastructure development priorities for the Pacific region. Find more information about the event here.
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Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2026 | 8-11 June 2026 | Manila, Philippines:
ACEF 2026 will convene the region’s clean energy community for collaboration centered on the theme “Beyond Transition: Building Secure, Resilient, Inclusive and Intelligent Energy Systems.” This forum offers a timely moment to assess progress in Asia and the Pacific’s clean energy journey and learn about the new priorities of ADB’s energy sector. Find more information about the event here.
| | Launching the 2026 North America Roadshow | | |
ADB business opportunities were highlighted to US companies at a NARO-organized Business Opportunities Seminar in Honolulu in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii on 27 February. This is the first session of the North America Roadshow for 2026 and was well attended by over 40 companies across the US representing multiple sectors.
The event was opened by Mitty Steele, NARO Business Development and Engagement Lead. Key speakers include VP Scott Morris and DG Emma Veve, who shared insights on ADB’s work across key regions. Jeff Taylor, Chief Procurement Officer provided an overview of procurement. Hanes Roberts and Michael Bromley from the US Department of Commerce highlighted available US government resources to support companies. A key highlight was a series of presentations by US companies that have successfully won ADB contracts, followed by one-on-one networking sessions with participants, experts and successful companies. The seminar helped US companies and consultants better understand opportunities in ADB-financed projects and how to engage with ADB.
On the sidelines of the business outreach event, NARO Deputy Representative Alain Borghijs also presented to faculty and students at the University of Hawaii Manoa on how MDBs are adapting to remain “fit for purpose” in a changing global environment. The session concluded with reflections on career pathways in international development, including the ADB Young Professionals Program.
| | Industry Day Event: Expanding US Private Sector Opportunities in ADB-Financed Projects | | |
NARO’s Industry Day: Business Opportunities Seminar and Procurement Workshop held on 2 April in Washington DC, in partnership with the Society for International Development (US) and the Small Business Association of International Companies. The workshop was a unique opportunity for US firms to learn about ADB-financed projects and pipelines, along with practical, hands-on insights into navigating ADB’s procurement system. Moderated by NARO's Mitty Steele, the event drew over 50 participants. NARO Representative Junkyu Lee opened the event highlighting NARO’s role and the importance of engaging US companies in ADB-financed projects.
Sessions led by Chief Procurement Officer Jeff Taylor and Kevin Moore, Director of Procurement, covered the fundamentals of doing business with ADB, effective bidding strategies, and recent procurement reforms. Participants also heard from Bruce Dunn, Head of Safeguards, and Felix Oku, Principal Safeguards Specialist, who shared guidance on ADB’s updated Environmental and Social Framework. Michael Staunton, Commercial Liaison at the US Department of Commerce, also provided an overview of government resources for US companies. The event concluded with one-on-one networking sessions, providing companies with the opportunity to engage directly with ADB experts. The session strengthened awareness of ADB’s project pipeline and procurement processes.
| | Highlighting ADB Opportunities for Canadian Companies | | NARO, in partnership with the Canada-ASEAN Business Council and Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, hosted a virtual webinar on 30 April for Canadian companies interested in business opportunities in the Philippines. The session attracted more than 30 firms seeking to learn about bidding on ADB-financed projects in transport, energy, and water & sanitation in the Philippines. NARO Representative Junkyu Lee expressed enthusiasm for ADB’s engagement with Canadian firms, followed by Andrew Jeffries, ADB Country Director for the Philippines, who provided an overview of ADB operations and projects in the Philippines. Sharlene Shillingford‑Mcklmon, Principal Procurement Specialist, provided a refresher on ADB procurement policies and recent updates on Merit Point Criteria, along with practical advice for the firms. Jei Edora, Canadian Regional Trade Commissioner for the Indo-Pacific, outlined how the Trade Commissioner Service is a valuable resource that supports Canadian companies in the Indo‑Pacific region. The session was moderated by Mitty Steele. | | | | |
New Action Plan for FCAS and SIDS Approach
ADB President Kanda approved the Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations and Small Island Developing States Approach (FSA) and Action Plan for 2026–2030. The plan calls for more innovative financing, strengthening delivery, and increased private sector participation and digital transformation in fragile and Pacific Island contexts.
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Building Subsea Cables in Vanuatu
The Asian Development Fund (ADF) is ADB’s concessional financing arm, supporting Fragile and Conflict Affected Situations and Small Island Developing States. In the Vanuatu: Tamtam Submarine Cable Project, ADF funds were used to support ADB's Pacific Approach 2021-2025. The $1.9 million grant, alongside an ADB loan, supports the design, construction, marine deployment, commissioning, and operation of a 411-kilometer submarine fiber optic telecommunications cable. The program allows for diversified economic growth through improvements to infrastructure. Learn more about ADF here.
Other ADF Projects include:
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| Please read the ADB fact sheets for Canada and the US, which includes information on trust funds, shareholding, financing partnerships, procurement, and contacts. | |
Junkyu Lee
Dr. Junkyu Lee currently serves as ADB’s Representative for NARO, where he leads ADB’s institutional engagement with Canada and the US. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Lee served as Director of Finance, leading Finance Sector Strategy, Planning, and Knowledge Solutions in ADB’s Finance Sector Office. He was also Chief of Finance Sector Group, 2019-2022. Before joining ADB in 2012, Dr. Lee served at the Republic of Korea Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) as G20 and Senior International Economic Advisor.
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