The pace of change in Asia and new and more flexible sources of finance mean that the Asian Development Bank needs to continue to demonstrate its relevance to donors and borrowers.

Key findings

• The ADB faces three challenges in the 21st century: navigating the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the region; fulfilling its mandate for economic development and poverty reduction; and remaining an important source of development finance for the region.
• The ADB is well placed to respond to these challenges by leveraging its history of quality projects and high standards; however, the Bank does need to reform its governance and its graduation policy.
• The Bank can meet the new demands of Asian countries such as protection against climate change while staying anchored as a development bank focused on alleviating poverty.