Asian Development Bank Calls For Stronger Regional Cooperation To Address Growing Energy Security Challenges In Asia-Pacific

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has called for greater cooperation among countries in Asia and the Pacific to tackle rising energy security concerns and build a cleaner, more reliable energy future. Speaking at the opening session of the Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2026 in Manila, he emphasized that no country can address energy challenges alone and that stronger regional partnerships are essential to ensure stable and affordable electricity supplies.

According to Kanda, recent global developments have highlighted the vulnerability of energy systems across the region. He warned that delays in creating a more interconnected and resilient power network could result in higher energy costs, slower economic growth, and missed opportunities for millions of people.

As energy demand continues to rise, countries will need to work together to strengthen energy security while supporting sustainable development.The challenge is significant. More than 350 million people in Asia and the Pacific still have limited access to energy, while over 53 million people do not have access to electricity at all.

At the same time, the region’s energy demand is expected to nearly double by 2030, driven by rapid urbanization, economic growth, and increasing electricity consumption from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Recent conflicts in the Middle East have further exposed the risks associated with energy supply disruptions, underlining the need for more resilient energy systems.

To address these issues, ADB is promoting the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative (PAGI), an ambitious program designed to connect national and regional power grids across Asia and the Pacific. The initiative aims to create an integrated electricity network that allows energy to flow across borders more efficiently, enabling countries to share resources, improve grid reliability, and support the large-scale adoption of renewable energy.

PAGI represents a shift from smaller country-to-country energy projects toward a more coordinated regional approach to power trade.By 2035, the initiative is expected to mobilize around $50 billion in investments, with ADB contributing approximately half of the funding. PAGI aims to connect 22,000 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines and integrate 20 gigawatts of renewable energy into the regional grid.

The project is also expected to reduce power sector emissions by 15% while creating approximately 840,000 jobs across the region, delivering both environmental and economic benefits.ADB has been working to improve energy access in Asia and the Pacific for more than 40 years. The organization considers reliable energy access a key factor in reducing poverty, improving living standards, and supporting economic development.

Its energy-related initiatives focus on expanding electricity access, promoting clean energy technologies, strengthening regional cooperation, and supporting policy reforms that improve the efficiency and sustainability of energy systems. In 2025 alone, ADB mobilized about $3.4 billion for energy projects and investments throughout the region.

Founded in 1966, ADB is a multilateral development bank dedicated to supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. The institution works with governments, private sector organizations, and development partners to address regional challenges through financing, infrastructure development, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Today, ADB is owned by 69 member countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.