Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape to mark the country’s 50th anniversary of independence and reaffirm ADB’s role in driving connectivity and inclusive growth. He will also meet with Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey and other senior officials.
During the meeting, Kanda highlighted ADB’s $2.14 billion investment pipeline for 2025–2028, focused on improving transport links, expanding skills training, and fostering private sector growth.
“ADB’s partnership with Papua New Guinea demonstrates how strategic investments transform lives,” said Kanda. “Our active sovereign portfolio has grown over three-fold since 2010, and we will continue to expand opportunities for a brighter future in Papua New Guinea.”
ADB is PNG’s largest multilateral development partner, supporting projects that deliver measurable results. Its investments in PNG’s road network and civil aviation have lowered transport costs, reduced travel times, improved safe movement, and increased connectivity, thereby giving people better access to markets and services.
Recent projects include the upgrading of 430 kilometres of roads and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 71 ageing bridges along the Highlands Highway to enable year-round trade. In addition, ADB has upgraded 18 national airports to ensure compliance with international safety and operational standards.
ADB’s investments in PNG complement its broader Pacific strategy, where improved transportation and skills development strengthen economic ties and resilience across island nations facing similar development challenges.
Following the meetings, Kanda will tour Port Moresby Technical College to observe firsthand how ADB’s education investments, which can produce 7,000 graduates annually, are equipping skilled workers for PNG’s growing economy. He will then visit the Laloki Bridge, a flood-resilient structure that improves access to markets and social services.
Kanda commended PNG’s progress on economic reforms, highlighting the reduction of the fiscal deficit from 8.9% in 2020 to 3.9% in 2024. ADB is preparing its 2026–2030 country partnership strategy to strengthen connectivity and expand into new sectors such as agriculture and urban water supply.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to address complex challenges, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard the environment. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region.
