Asian Development Bank

A big group helps people in Asia.

They want to help lands grow. They help build roads and power lines. This helps many families.

They also help with schools and health. They help when there is a big storm. This helps people get back on their feet.

They even help students learn. This helps students help their own homes later. It is good to work together.

The Asian Development Bank helps Asia grow. It is a large group of countries. They work together to help people.

The bank started in 1966. It is based in Mandaluyong, Philippines. Many countries are members. In 1966, there were 31 members. By 2019, there were 69 members. Japan and the United States hold the most shares. This means they have a big say in the bank.

At first, the bank helped with food and farms. In the 1970s, it helped with schools and health. It also helped build roads and power lines. Later, it helped with new energy projects. In the 1990s, the bank made poverty reduction a main goal.

The bank also helps during hard times. It gave money to help after big earthquakes and tsunamis. It also helps fight diseases. One special part is a scholarship program. It helps about 300 students every year. These students study in 10 different countries. After they finish, they go home to help their own lands grow.

The Asian Development Bank, or ADB, is a large group of countries. They work together to help Asia grow. This group helps with social and economic development. It focuses on making life better for people in the region. The bank is based in Mandaluyong, Philippines. It also has many field offices around the world.

Working at the bank involves many different steps. First, a group called the Board of Governors makes big decisions. This group has one person from every member country. They elect a board of directors to help lead. The board also picks a president to manage the bank. The president serves a term of five years. This person leads the bank and its many workers. The bank uses a special voting system for its members.

The idea for the bank started many years ago. In 1956, a leader from Japan suggested a new bank. Later, an economist named Kaoru Ohashi proposed a study group. A Thai economist named Paul Sithi-Amnuai also suggested a bank. Many cities wanted to host the new headquarters. Tokyo and Manila were both in the race. In 1965, the members held three rounds of votes. Manila won by just one vote. The bank officially started on December 19, 1966.

Many countries belong to the ADB today. It started with 31 members in 1966. By 2019, the number grew to 69 members. Japan and the United States are the largest shareholders. They each hold 15.571% of the shares. China holds 6.429% of the shares. India holds 6.317% of the shares. Australia also has a share at 5.773%. The bank employs about 3,000 people.

The bank has changed its focus over time. In the early years, it helped with food and farms. In the 1970s, it helped with schools and health. It also helped build roads and power lines. In 1999, the bank made reducing poverty a main goal. The ADB also helps during big disasters. It gave money after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It also helped after an earthquake in Pakistan in 2005. One special part is a scholarship program. It helps 300 students every year.

The Asian Development Bank, known as the ADB, is a regional development bank. Its primary mission is to promote social and economic development throughout Asia. The organization is headquartered in Mandaluyong, located in Metro Manila, Philippines. It also maintains 31 field offices around the world to manage its work.

The ADB operates through a specific organizational structure. The highest policy-making body is the Board of Governors. This group consists of one representative from every member state. The Board of Governors elects twelve members to a board of directors. They also elect the bank's president, who manages the ADB. The president serves a five-year term and can be re-elected. Traditionally, the president has been Japanese because Japan is a major shareholder. The current president is Masato Kanda, who succeeded Masatsugu Asakawa in 2025.

Decision-making at the bank relies on a weighted voting system. In this system, votes are distributed based on capital subscriptions. This means members with more capital have more voting power. The bank distinguishes between two types of members. Regional members are located within the Asia-Pacific area. Non-regional members are primarily from Europe or North America. Regional members are the main beneficiaries of development projects. Non-regional members mostly contribute capital to the bank.

The history of the ADB began with several different ideas. In 1956, Japan's Finance Minister Hisato Ichimada suggested a new financial institution. Later, in 1962, an economist named Kaoru Ohashi proposed a study group. At the same time, a Thai economist named Paul Sithi-Amnuai proposed a bank at a trade conference. These separate ideas eventually came together. In 1965, the prospective members voted on where the headquarters should be. Tokyo and Manila were both candidates. Manila won the third round of voting by a single vote. The bank was officially established on December 19, 1966.

Membership in the ADB has grown significantly over time. The bank started with only 31 members at its founding. By 2019, the number of members had increased to 69. The bank employs approximately 3,000 people. As of late 2020, Japan and the United States held the largest shares. Each of these two countries held 15.571% of the shares. China held 6.429%, India held 6.317%, and Australia held 5.773%. These numbers show how much influence different nations have within the organization.

The goals of the ADB have shifted as the needs of Asia changed. In the early years, the bank focused on food production and rural development. Between 1967 and 1972, most loans went to Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, and the Philippines. During the 1970s, the bank expanded into education, health, and infrastructure like roads and electricity. In 1999, the ADB adopted poverty reduction as its main goal. The bank also provides emergency support during crises. For example, it provided $1 billion in loans and grants after the 2005 Pakistan earthquake. It also committed over $850 million for recovery after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Beyond large loans, the ADB invests in people through education. The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) is a notable initiative. This program enrolls about 300 students every year in various academic institutions. These students study in 10 different countries within the region. After they finish their studies, scholars are expected to help their home countries grow. This connects the bank's financial work to the long-term social development of its members. The ADB also holds the status of an official United Nations Observer, linking it to global systems of cooperation.