Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda called on Asia and the Pacific to build cleaner, more secure power systems that connect economies and enable electricity to flow across borders, addressing one of the region’s most serious energy challenges in decades. Speaking at the opening session of the Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2026 at ADB headquarters in Manila on June 9, 2026, Kanda warned that delays could drive up energy prices, slow growth, and cost millions of people opportunity, according to a press release by ADB. He stressed that no single country can secure its energy future alone. The remarks framed regional cooperation as essential to resilience. Kanda’s address set the tone for the forum’s clean energy discussions.
More than 350 million people in Asia and the Pacific have limited access to energy, and over 53 million have no access at all. Recent conflict in the Middle East has exposed serious energy vulnerabilities across many countries. Regional energy demand is projected to nearly double by 2030, driven by sustained economic growth, rapid urbanization, and surging demand from power-intensive artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. These conditions underscore the urgency of coordinated action. ADB framed the moment as one of compounded risk and rising need.
To address the challenge, ADB has launched the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative (PAGI), which interconnects national and regional electricity systems to allow energy to be exchanged across borders. The initiative shifts the region from small bilateral projects toward coordinated, regional-level power trade. PAGI aims to mobilize $50 billion by 2035, with ADB providing half of that financing. It is expected to deliver 22,000 circuit kilometers of transmission networks and integrate 20 gigawatts of renewable energy into regional systems. The effort is also projected to cut power-sector emissions by 15% and create 840,000 jobs.
“We have been painfully reminded in recent weeks that no country can address energy security alone,” Kanda said.
He added that the region must build power systems that link economies, strengthen resilience, and supply energy across the region. Kanda warned that delayed action would raise energy prices, slow growth, and deny opportunity to millions. His remarks underscored the link between energy cooperation and economic stability. The president positioned PAGI as a central response to those risks.
ADB has worked for more than 40 years to expand energy access in Asia and the Pacific, viewing energy as critical to reducing poverty and driving growth. Its regional work spans improving access for the poorest, advancing clean energy, fostering cooperation to meet demand, and supporting better energy policy. In 2025, ADB mobilized about $3.4 billion for energy projects and investments across the region. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region. It continues to support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific.
