The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expanding its outreach in the Pacific region by establishing a fully functional office in the Solomon Islands later this year, alongside its existing offices in Suva, Port Moresby, and Sydney. Emma Veve, the new Director General for the Pacific, highlighted that the Solomon Islands now holds the ADB’s second-largest project portfolio, following Papua New Guinea.
Currently, the ADB operates a Pacific Coordination Office in the Solomon Islands, staffed by two local representatives who have effectively engaged with the local government to foster better understanding and collaboration. The upcoming office will be directed by a new country manager, with plans to have it operational by the end of the year.
Furthermore, Veve indicated the potential establishment of an office to serve the North Pacific, suggesting increased engagement tailored to the unique challenges and needs of this region. This is part of ADB’s broader ambition to enhance its presence and impact across all 12 of its Pacific Developing Member Countries.
This expansion comes at a critical time when the ADB looks to redefine its strategic approach for the Pacific from 2026 to 2030, following a comprehensive evaluation of its previous strategies. The focus will include resilience building, private sector development, and greater involvement in innovation and digital technologies, addressing several challenges outlined in discussions with Pacific leaders during the ADB’s recent Annual Meeting in Milan.
Recognizing the diversity of the Pacific region, ADB aims to improve its strategies to ensure they are locally relevant, involving collaboration with regional organizations and national bodies for capacity building in various sectors, such as financial and project management.
With a commitment to developing sustainable and locally owned solutions, ADB’s new vision for the Pacific represents a hopeful pathway to address existing vulnerabilities and foster resilience in these island nations, ultimately enabling them to achieve their developmental goals effectively.
In coming months, further dialogues and consultations with Pacific governments and development partners will shape the ADB’s strategic focus, ensuring alignment with the needs of the region while paving a brighter future for its member countries.
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