The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors unanimously elected Masato Kanda as ADB’s 11th president. He will assume office on February 24, next year.

Kanda, 59, has forty years of experience in international finance and policy and currently serves as Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

He previously served as Deputy Commissioner at the Financial Services Agency, Deputy Director-General of the Budget Bureau, Deputy Vice-Minister for Policy Planning and Coordination, and Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs.

Kanda holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo and an M.Phil in Economics from Oxford University.

Chair of the ADB Board of Governors and Governor of the Bank of Italy, Fabio Panetta, said, “Kanda’s extensive experience in international finance and proven leadership in multilateral settings will serve ADB well in navigating complex global economic challenges and fostering international cooperation.”

Kanda has been actively engaged in international forums like G7 and G20, addressing key policy challenges such as the evolution of the multilateral development bank, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and debt sustainability and transparency.